Odisha's CCTNS System Plagued by Serious Lapses, Finds CAG Audit

According to a report published by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on September 26, 2025, the implementation of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) in Odisha has been plagued by "serious lapses".

The CAG conducted an IT audit of the CCTNS in Odisha, evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the system from its inception in 2013 until March 2023. The audit has revealed several concerning issues, including privacy breaches and lapses in investigation and prosecution.

One of the key findings is that in 2,080 instances across 217 police stations between 2018 and 2023, charge sheets were prepared by officers who were not designated as investigating officers for the cases in question. The audit also found 5,566 missing complaints of children below 18 years that were not registered as FIRs, despite it being a mandatory requirement.

Additionally, the CAG report noted that 9,642 non-cognizable cases had not been recorded by 29 police stations in the CCTNS system, despite provisions for their registration and maintenance. The audit also uncovered 1,631 cases at 405 police stations where details of women victims and juvenile offenders classified as sensitive were disclosed on the citizen portal, a clear breach of privacy.

The CAG's findings highlight the need for Odisha's authorities to address these systemic issues and ensure the CCTNS system is functioning effectively and securely to serve the needs of the state's law enforcement and citizens.