Punjab police modifies character certificate system to clear innocents’ records

Punjab police has introduced a new system for issuing character certificates, eliminating the requirement for a verification committee. 

Following a court directive, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has implemented changes to the character certificate issuance process, eliminating the need for verification committee meetings for applicants without a criminal record.

Under this revised process, individuals who are proven innocent will no longer need a verification committee meeting to clear their criminal record. Instead, the system will automatically update their status, ensuring a more streamlined and efficient approach.

Under the new system, case reports will no longer need to be sent to the City Police Officer (CPO) office. 

Instead, character certificate records will be updated automatically based on a newly implemented pattern. 

The system incorporates 15 distinct categories that will serve as the basis for updating certificates, ensuring accuracy and transparency.

According to the new procedure, individuals found innocent during an investigation, those whose cases are dismissed, those acquitted through reconciliation in court, or those proven not guilty in legal proceedings will have the remark "Not Involved" recorded in their character certificate. 

Similarly, if a person is exonerated during trial or acquitted after the completion of a case, the same remark will be applied.

To further enhance record management, pending trial cases will be labeled "Under Trial", individuals wanted by police will be marked "Police Advertised", and those sought by the court will have the tag "Court Advertised" added to their records. These updates aim to ensure transparency and prevent wrongful criminal records from affecting innocent individuals.

 In compliance with court directives, the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has updated the relevant software, modernizing the police record management system. 

Inspector General (IG) Punjab has issued an official directive to all concerned officers to implement this new system immediately.