Imphal, May 31 (IANS) Manipur Police have, for the first time, introduced the ‘E-Malkhana’ system to ensure efficient, transparent and scientific management of Malkhanas (designated storehouses for seized property and case exhibits) at the police station level, officials said on Sunday.

“The digital initiative is aimed at improving the storage, tracking and disposal of case-related property and evidence, while enhancing accountability, transparency and operational efficiency in police station administration,” a senior police official told IANS.

He said that the Malkhana of Irilbung Police Station in Imphal East district has been upgraded and converted into an ‘E-Malkhana’ under the new digital management system.

The initiative was undertaken by Imphal East district Superintendent of Police Shivanand Surve and Police Pooja Malani, both IPS officers, as part of efforts to modernise police infrastructure and strengthen evidence management practices.

According to the official, the new system ensures scientific storage, proper management and easy retrieval of case properties and exhibits. Under the E-Malkhana system, every exhibit and seized property is catalogued and digitally recorded for efficient monitoring and management. Each item is assigned a unique barcode containing detailed information such as the FIR number, relevant sections of law, name of the Investigating Officer, description of exhibits, photographs, present status and disposal details.

The barcode is also linked to the concerned case record, enabling quick identification, verification and retrieval of exhibits whenever required during investigation or court proceedings.

The E-Malkhana system promotes systematic documentation, accountability, transparency and better preservation of case properties through digital record management. It also minimises the chances of misplacement, duplication and procedural delays associated with conventional record-keeping methods.

The official noted that the initiative has significantly improved the efficiency of Malkhana management and represents a major step towards the adoption of modern technology and scientific practices in police station administration.

Originating from the twin Persian words ‘Mal’ (property) and ‘Khana’ (space), the term ‘Malkhana’ refers to the designated facility within a police station where property seized during investigations is stored. Such properties are seized under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and various special and local laws, or collected during preliminary inquiries for safe custody and production before courts whenever required.

The official emphasised that evidence and seized property are crucial components of the criminal justice process. Proper preservation and management of such materials play a vital role in ensuring fair investigation, successful prosecution and the overall integrity of the justice delivery system.

He said that effective and efficient management of evidence gathered during investigations is integral to a law enforcement agency’s quality of service to the criminal justice system. Failure to properly manage evidence and seized property can adversely affect the successful prosecution of criminal cases, resulting in legal complications, institutional liability and erosion of public confidence.

The official further pointed out that incidents of theft, replacement, pilferage, embezzlement and destruction of seized property, often caused by unsatisfactory and unscientific storage practices, can seriously tarnish the reputation of law enforcement agencies.

In some cases, improper storage of hazardous materials, including explosives, has even led to accidents and explosions within Malkhanas, underlining the importance of adopting scientific and technology-driven management systems, he stated.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortyne@gmail.com)

–IANS

sc/dpb