BHUBANESWAR: Police stations in the capital city will soon be equipped with modern interrogation cells that will have integrated audio-visual technology to record statements of the accused and the suspects.Currently, quizzing takes places in dingy rooms of police stations with one person holding video camera and another a voice recorder to help investigators record the statements.“We are going to start the modern interrogation hall at Capital Police Station first. Construction of the modern hall is in progress. Subsequently, similar hi-tech halls will be built in other police stations here,” deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi told TOI. Police sources said each modern interrogation hall will be constructed at a cost of nearly Rs 20 lakh. The capital city has total 20 police stations.Bhoi said currently at least three persons, including the investigator are required to interrogate and record the statement of accused, suspects and victims. “We often hire video cameras and voice recorders. Two persons are required for the task to assist the investigator. In the absence of dedicated interrogation cells, investigators are forced to record statements of accused or suspects at the presence of others (cops and visitors) in common halls of police stations,” Bhoi said, adding privacy and secrecy of the key investigation process is likely to be put to risk. Some police personnel said they are forced to record statements of accused in sensitive cases in store rooms to maintain privacy and secrecy. In many sensitive cases, police personnel usually take the accused to the office of commissioner of police or deputy commissioner of police to look for spacious rooms for recording of the statement.Police said eliciting the truth from suspects, victims and witnesses is difficult without creating suitable environment. “Our new interrogation cell will have in-built audio-visual technology. High frequency cameras will be fitted in suitable places in the hall. Mike with voice recording device will be fitted in table,” Bhoi said. Police said there will be glass wall in the hall where lawyers and family members of the accused can watch from other side about the interrogation process (only if court orders). The walls and ceiling will be well insulated to dampen outside noises. A short fibre carpet will be there on the wall to absorb sound. Sources said such modern interrogation halls currently exist in the Crime Branch and vigilance offices in Cuttack and at the CBI office here.

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