THE LOK SABHA PASSED THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (IDENTIFICATION) BILL 2022 ENABLING COLLECTION OF BIOMETRIC DETAILS OF PRISONERS

Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Criminal Procedure (identification) Bill 2022 ("Bill") which enables the collection of biometric details of prisoners. The Bill allows the investigating officer to collect palm prints, finger and foot impressions, retina scans, and physical/biological samples. It further proposes to collect behavioral attributes such as handwriting and signatures as provided under section 53, 53A of the CrPC.

The present regime provides the police with the impression of a limited category of prisoners.

The Bill was passed by voice vote:

1. The record of the impressions and imprints shall be retained for 75 years from the date of collection.

2. Any resistance by the prisoner will attract an offense under section 186 i.e. Obstructing public servants, attracting 3 months of jail, or a fine up to 500 rs.

3. The government, however, clarified that a person who is not convicted or arrested for a crime committed against women or children can refuse to give their biological samples.