Patna: Criminal investigations in Bihar will now face stricter scrutiny, after the Patna High Court issued a 15-point standard operating procedure (SOP) for police officers probing such cases. The court said inadequate investigations had allowed criminals to benefit, and ordered the Home Department and Director General of Police to enforce the new measures.
A bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Dr Anshuman laid down the directives while hearing a criminal appeal filed by Murari Raut. Finding several lapses in the police probe — including the failure to seize weapons and record witness statements — the court acquitted Raut and ordered his release from prison.
The case, registered at Majhauliya police station in West Champaran district, exposed multiple deficiencies. The surrendered firearm was neither sealed nor sent for ballistic examination, and bloodstained clothes of the deceased were not seized.
The SOP now requires investigating officers to visit crime scenes, prepare sketch maps, and promptly question informants and eyewitnesses. Identification parades must be arranged if witnesses claim they can recognise suspects. Statements of accused persons under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code must be recorded, and any disclosures immediately acted upon, with seized material properly labeled and sealed.
The guidelines also emphasise forensic involvement — mandating autopsy surgeons’ opinions on weapons, ballistics tests in firearm cases, and analysis of viscera in deaths by poisoning, drowning, or strangulation. Bloodstained clothes, soil, and other evidence must also be preserved and examined by experts.
The court directed that a compliance report be submitted within 90 days to ensure the guidelines are followed across Bihar.
