Odisha: Crime Branch unit to help sleuths in investigations

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police have decided to set up a dedicated wing under the Crime Branch to help investigators in different districts improve the standard of probe in sensitive cases.
“As per the advice of the director general of police, we will create an investigation support unit in the Crime Branch headquarters. The unit will have a panel of experts, including some retired CBI officers, forensic and legal experts to guide our investigating officers across the state in investigations,” additional director general of police (Crime Branch) Arun Bothra said.
“The experts would be available for consultation through video calls. Any investigator, who is struggling with his plan of action during an investigation, can seek the advice of the experts. This will ensure that the case becomes strong during trial and results in conviction,” Bothra said.
The experts, including senior IPS officers, legal counsels and cyber officers, will specify the action plans for IOs, who would be briefed on how to proceed in investigation, right evidence they should collect and samples required for examination among others.
In March 2019, the Crime Branch created a crime analysis wing (CAW) to interact with IOs of major cases over audio-visual platforms and guide them in preparing a plan of investigation. Subsequently, the CAW became defunct.