The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, has become a talking point among lawyers. While those favouring the Bill say that the Prisoner (Identification) Act, 1920, was 102 years old and had its limitations, others claim the new Bill is an attempt at privacy infringement. Irrespective of opposition and subsequent trust vote (120 members in favour and 58 against the Bill), the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, was cleared in the Lok Sabha. 

The Bill empowers the police to collect physical and biological samples of those who are detained, arrested or convicted, and collect their finger, palm and footprints impression. As per the Bill, the police can also collect their photographs, iris and retina scan, analysis of physical and biological samples, including extraction of DNA and behavioural attributes such as signature and handwriting. The collected samples will then be sent to National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) to store the same for a period of 75 years. These stored details can be shared with any state or central agencies, as required.