Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) Project of India (CCTNS Project) is a very ambitious project of Indian government. It intends to connect all the police stations of India so that information sharing can happen on a real time basis. Further, it also intends to automate the law enforcement functions so that efficiency and transparency can be achieved. In short, it is the biggest leap in the direction of modernisation of law enforcement of India.Modernisation is not just installing computers and other information and communication technology (ICT). According to experts of India modernisation means a complete overhaul of the legal framework as well as intelligence gathering techniques. Similarly, there is also an urgent need to establish a good legal framework for lawful interception in India.
Presently, phone tapping and interception of communications in India are “Unconstitutional” as they are not strictly in accordance with the provisions of Constitution of India. We need a dedicated Lawful Interception Law in India in this regard, says Praveen Dalal a Supreme Court Lawyer and leading techno legal expert of India.
It seems Parliament of India is not fulfilling its constitutional duties. It is shying away from legislating crucial and mandatory laws regarding privacy, data protection, data security, law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies, etc. Even worst is the fact that Indian government is relying upon draconian colonial laws to suppress the civil liberties of Indians.
The CCTNS project is a very important project and it should not be failed for the mere reason that we have no procedural safeguards against its misuse. Presently, Parliament of India is acting if there is no separation of powers between executive, legislature and judiciary. It is high time for Parliament of India to enact suitable laws in this regard by actually doing legislative business and keeping the “parliamentary democracy” alive in India.
