Objective
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Collection and preservation of documentary, electronic, and scientific evidence.
Providing appropriate legal relief to the victim.
Eliciting the truth regarding the commission of the offence.
Bringing offenders to justice through lawful investigation and prosecution.
Conducting a qualitative, evidence-based, and professional investigation.
Key Investigation Objectives
A. Recording the statement of the victim and witnesses.
B. Obtaining expert and forensic opinions.
C. Securing conviction of offenders through legally sustainable evidence.
D. Restoring public confidence in the justice system and identifying systemic weaknesses exploited in the offence.
E. Recovery and protection of negotiable instruments, property, records, and other incriminating material.
I. Registration of FIR and Initial Action
Register the FIR under appropriate provisions of law based on the allegations and available evidence.
Send copies of the FIR online to all concerned officers.
Hand over a copy of the FIR to the complainant and obtain acknowledgment.
Record the statement of the complainant/victim promptly in the vernacular language.
Recording of Statements
Statements shall be recorded in the exact language spoken by the witness wherever possible.
Statements may be recorded in Telugu or any other language spoken by the witness.
Where recorded in English, reasons shall be documented in Part-I, Part-II Statements, and Case Diary.
II. Preliminary Investigation
The IO shall establish:
Nature of the transaction.
Mode of cheating or criminal breach of trust.
Manner of fabrication, forgery, or falsification of records.
Motive behind the offence.
Financial gain obtained by the accused.
Loss caused to the victim.
Role of each accused person.
The motive shall be established through:
Statements.
Documentary evidence.
Institutional records.
Official correspondence.
Expert analysis.
III. Collection of Documentary Evidence
The IO shall collect and preserve:
Financial and Commercial Documents
Cheques.
Promissory notes.
Bonds.
Agreements.
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).
Surety documents.
Mortgage documents.
Loan applications.
Account opening forms.
Guarantee forms.
Bank records.
Financial statements.
Institutional Records
Company records.
Registration documents.
Licenses and permissions.
Internal correspondence.
Audit reports.
Employment records.
All original documents shall be preserved carefully and documented in the case record.
IV. Examination of Victims and Witnesses
Examine victims and witnesses thoroughly.
Record statements in writing.
Clearly establish:
Sequence of events.
Representations made by accused.
Reliance placed by victim.
Financial transactions involved.
Identify and examine:
Employees.
Account holders.
Guarantors.
Sureties.
Witnesses to transactions.
Public officials where relevant.
V. Scene Inspection and Technical Evidence
Visit the place where the offence was committed or where records were maintained.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).
Conduct photography and videography wherever necessary.
Collect CCTV footage from:
Banks.
Financial institutions.
Offices.
Business establishments.
Other relevant locations.
VI. Electronic and Digital Evidence
The IO shall seize and examine:
Computers.
Laptops.
Mobile phones.
Hard disks.
Pen drives.
Printers.
Scanners.
Servers.
Networking equipment.
Other digital storage devices.
Data Collection
Retrieve data through lawful procedures.
Preserve digital evidence maintaining chain of custody.
Obtain expert assistance wherever necessary.
Send digital exhibits for forensic examination.
VII. Forgery Cases
In cases involving forged documents, the IO shall:
Collect
Disputed documents.
Specimen signatures.
Specimen handwriting.
Specimen numericals.
Standard signatures and writings of complainant.
Standard signatures and writings of accused.
Court-obtained specimen writings wherever legally required.
Expert Examination
Forward documents to FSL through Court.
Obtain handwriting and document expert opinion.
Collect comparison reports and expert findings.
VIII. Counterfeit Currency Cases
In cases involving counterfeit currency or coins:
Seize counterfeit notes or coins.
Preserve them properly.
Forward them to FSL or competent authority for examination.
Obtain expert opinion regarding genuineness and counterfeit characteristics.
IX. Fake Certificate Cases
In cases involving fake certificates:
Collect the disputed certificate.
Collect original specimen certificates from issuing authority.
Obtain verification from competent authority.
Forward documents to FSL where necessary.
Obtain expert comparison reports.
X. Land Cheating and Property Fraud Cases
The IO shall collect:
Link documents of title.
Revenue records.
Registration records.
Survey records.
Mutation records.
Property tax records.
Layout approvals.
Local body permissions.
Coordination with Authorities
Obtain information from:
Revenue Department.
Municipal Authorities.
Development Authorities.
Gram Panchayats.
Registration Department.
Verification
Identify genuine owners.
Verify signatures and documents.
Examine revenue officials and related witnesses.
Scrutinize all supporting records.
XI. Expert Opinion
Where required, obtain expert opinions from:
Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
Handwriting Experts.
Cyber Forensic Experts.
Banking Experts.
Revenue Authorities.
Technical Experts.
Other competent authorities.
XII. Arrest of Accused
Arrest shall be based on evidence collected during investigation.
Prior to arrest, examine:
Documentary evidence.
Witness statements.
Technical evidence.
Expert opinions.
Provide reasonable opportunity to explain transactions wherever legally required.
Arrest Procedure
Follow Supreme Court guidelines.
Comply with Section 41A CrPC/BNSS and other applicable legal provisions.
Conduct arrest lawfully and transparently.
Recovery Proceedings
Conduct recovery proceedings before independent local witnesses.
Avoid stock panch witnesses.
Recover:
Documents.
Property.
Electronic devices.
Financial instruments.
Other incriminating materials.
XIII. Further Investigation
Collect evidence to rebut the defence of the accused.
Verify additional documents.
Obtain supplementary records.
Identify accomplices and beneficiaries.
Investigate organized criminal involvement wherever applicable.
XIV. Court Proceedings
The Investigating Officer shall:
Seek judicial remand where necessary.
Oppose bail where warranted.
File applications for:
Remand extension.
Verification of sureties.
Test Identification Parade (TIP), where applicable.
Maintain close coordination with the Public Prosecutor.
XV. Charge Sheet and Final Report
Write the Final Case Diary analyzing all evidence.
Clearly establish:
Nature of deception.
False representations.
Financial loss.
Criminal intent.
Role of each accused.
Prepare Draft Charge Sheet.
Obtain opinion of PP/APP.
File Charge Sheet within the stipulated period.
Guide the complainant regarding recovery or return of property through due legal process.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Thorough scrutiny of documentary evidence.
Proper preservation of electronic and forensic evidence.
Fair and impartial investigation.
Timely collection of expert opinions.
Lawful arrest of accused persons.
Effective prosecution through legally admissible evidence.
Timely filing of Charge Sheet and Final Report.
Goal
To uncover the complete modus operandi of the offence, identify all persons responsible, secure recovery of property wherever possible, establish criminal liability through documentary and scientific evidence, and ensure successful prosecution of offenders.