Objective
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Speedy recovery of stolen property.
Restoration of recovered property to the rightful owner through due legal process.
Identification and prosecution of offenders impersonating police officers.
Conducting a scientific, intelligence-based, and qualitative investigation.
Preventing recurrence of such offences through effective enforcement and detection.
Key Investigation Objectives
A. Recording statements of victims and witnesses.
B. Establishing impersonation, deception, recovery, and criminal involvement.
C. Recovery of stolen property and incriminating articles.
D. Identification and arrest of offenders.
E. Restoration of public confidence in law enforcement.
I. Registration of FIR and Initial Action
Register the FIR promptly under appropriate provisions of law.
Send copies of the FIR to all concerned officers through online mode.
Provide a copy of the FIR to the complainant and obtain acknowledgment.
Mandatory Statement
The following statement shall be incorporated in property offence cases:
"I can identify the accused if he/she is shown to me."
Flash a VHF message to all police units immediately after registration of the case.
II. Immediate Search and Investigation
Visit the scene of occurrence immediately.
Conduct Cordon and Search operations without delay.
Search probable shelter and transit locations including:
Lodges.
Railway Stations.
Bus Stations.
Airports.
Private Bus Addas.
Parking Areas.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude) of the crime scene.
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama and prepare Rough Sketch where required.
III. Examination of Victim and Witnesses
Record detailed statements of victims.
Ascertain:
Number of offenders.
Method of impersonation.
Manner of approach.
Property taken away.
Time and place of occurrence.
Examine:
Eye witnesses.
Circumstantial witnesses.
Nearby shopkeepers.
Security personnel.
Other relevant persons.
Record statements in vernacular language and in the witness's own words.
IV. Collection of Descriptive Particulars
The IO shall obtain detailed descriptions of suspects including:
Language spoken.
Local dialect.
Accent.
Physical build.
Height and complexion.
Dress and appearance.
Uniform details.
Identity cards displayed.
Vehicles used.
Mobile phones used.
Distinguishing marks.
Direction of escape.
All particulars shall be incorporated in the Case Diary and investigation records.
V. CCTV and Technical Evidence
CCTV Collection
The IO shall collect CCTV footage from:
Community surveillance systems.
Residential premises.
Commercial establishments.
Traffic junctions.
Parking places.
Transport terminals.
Mobile and Technical Analysis
Collect Tower Dump data from probable locations.
Analyze:
Mobile activity.
Suspect movement.
Communication patterns.
Correlate technical evidence with witness statements and CCTV footage.
VI. Modus Operandi Analysis
The IO shall:
Study the modus operandi used in the offence.
Compare with:
Similar offences in neighboring Police Stations.
District crime records.
Known impersonation gangs.
Analyze:
Language patterns.
Dress style.
Fake identity usage.
Vehicles used.
Communication methods.
VII. Coordination with Crime Units
The IO shall:
Coordinate with:
CCS Teams.
Crime Teams.
Intelligence Units.
Neighboring Police Stations.
Exchange intelligence regarding:
Known impersonation gangs.
Habitual offenders.
Inter-state criminal groups.
Verify involvement of organized gangs operating in different jurisdictions.
VIII. Identification of Suspects
Prepare Portrait Parle/Sketch through SCRB immediately wherever required.
Upload suspect details to:
Criminal Intelligence System.
Authorized Police Databases.
Circulate photographs among:
Crime Teams.
Neighboring Police Stations.
Intelligence Units.
Show photographs/albums of:
Known MO criminals.
Habitual offenders.
Suspected persons.
Arrested accused.
IX. Arrest of Accused
Upon establishing involvement:
Arrest the accused in accordance with:
Section 41A CrPC/BNSS provisions.
Supreme Court guidelines.
Other applicable legal safeguards.
Verification of Identity
The IO shall:
Personally verify the residential address of the accused.
Collect:
Identity Proofs.
Address Proofs.
Photographs.
Contact the concerned SHO to:
Verify criminal history.
Verify address.
Obtain previous case details.
X. Collection of Criminal Background
The IO shall collect:
Latest Photograph.
Fingerprints.
Interrogation Report.
Family Tree.
Call Detail Records (CDR).
Criminal antecedents.
Previous involvement in similar offences.
History Sheet details, where applicable.
XI. Recovery Proceedings
Conduct recovery proceedings before independent local witnesses.
Avoid use of stock panch witnesses.
Recover:
Stolen property.
Fake Police Identity Cards.
Fake Appointment Orders.
Fake Badges.
Uniforms.
Vehicles.
Mobile Phones.
Other incriminating material.
Action Against Receivers
Identify receivers of stolen property.
Take legal action against persons knowingly receiving stolen property.
Investigate disposal channels and accomplices.
XII. Identification Proceedings
Test Identification Parade (TIP)
Arrange TIP wherever required.
Ensure compliance with legal procedures.
Preserve all related documentation.
Property Identification
Arrange identification of recovered property by victims and witnesses.
Record identification proceedings properly.
XIII. Court Proceedings
The Investigating Officer shall:
File requisition for Police Custody where required.
Seek:
Remand Extension.
Verification of Sureties.
Test Identification Parade.
PT Warrants where necessary.
Maintain liaison with the Public Prosecutor throughout the trial.
XIV. Property Management
Deposit recovered property before Court.
Obtain Property Identification (PI) Number.
Maintain chain of custody.
Guide the complainant regarding return of property through due legal process.
XV. Charge Sheet and Final Report
Prepare Draft Charge Sheet after completion of investigation.
Obtain opinion from PP/APP.
Clearly establish:
Identity of accused.
Impersonation of police officials.
Recovery of stolen property.
Use of fake uniforms and fake identity cards.
Witness identification.
Technical and documentary evidence.
Submit Charge Sheet/Final Report within the stipulated period.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Immediate response and search operations.
Scientific collection of evidence.
Proper identification of offenders.
Recovery of stolen property and fake police articles.
Coordination with inter-state and specialized crime units.
Timely arrest and prosecution of offenders.
Effective presentation of evidence before Court.
Goal
To detect pseudo police offences through scientific investigation, recover stolen property, identify and prosecute offenders impersonating law enforcement personnel, dismantle organized criminal networks involved in such crimes, and restore public confidence in legitimate policing and the criminal justice system.