BPRD brings out MLAT, Police Act draft

In order to better equip investigative agencies in handling cases with overseas ramifications, the BPRD has prepared a new draft to amend the existing Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in criminal matters.
The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), under the Union Home Ministry, is the national agency to undertake research and development work on policing subjects and for these forces across the country.
"The MLAT draft has been prepared and has been put in public domain for getting feedback and public opinion till November 15. The existing format of this treaty needs to be modified as we have seen investigative agencies find it extremely difficult to get information from foreign countries when probing important cases," BPRD chief N R Wasan told PTI here.

The DG, who has earlier had a long stint in the National Investigation Agency (NIA), led a team of three officers, one from NIA and other from CBI, to prepare the said draft.
Wasan said the new draft also includes protocols and provisions as to how to use cyber evidence when interacting with a foreign country.
"The new MLAT draft talks about how to approach and transfer evidence when Indian probe agencies are interacting with their foreign counterparts. It will help in expediting their investigation and will also talk about cyber evidence which holds a lot of value for investigators," he said.

The draft has also been submitted to the Home Ministry and after public opinions are received by BPRD, it will be put for final consideration of the government.
The agency has also brought out a draft for enacting a new Police Act in the country which has been put up in public domain for comments.
The two drafts can be accessed at BPRD's web portal -- http://bprd.Nic.In.