We are deeply concerned at the introduction of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 in the Lok Sabha without any public consultation.

This Bill is aimed at drastically expanding the scope of the State’s powers to collect, store, and utilise the body-related data of citizens. If passed as it is now, it will allow the government agencies to violate citizens’ privacy indiscriminately, and to use technologies like facial recognition to surveil, police, and profile neighbourhoods and protest gatherings and streets.

Police and investigative agencies in India are already notorious for using torture and other extra-legal methods to frame innocents. This Bill in its present shape can only expand the scope of such misuse of power by the state agencies against citizens.

We therefore demand that this Bill be referred to a Parliamentary Select Committee immediately, which must engage in public consultation at all levels.

- CPIML Central Committee