Court finds CCTNS and Devbhoomi Mobile App functional; directs state to show reason for non-availability of sensitive-category FIRs online
Dehradun, Sept. 23, 2026: The Uttarakhand High Court on Tuesday closed a public interest litigation alleging that FIRs could not be downloaded from the State’s CCTNS portal and mobile app, after the State demonstrated that the system was fully functional and FIRs were accessible online.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay heard the PIL filed by National Public Service Trust, which claimed that accused persons and members of the public were unable to download FIRs despite a Supreme Court mandate requiring online access.
The petitioner relied on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India (2016) 9 SCC 473, which directed that FIRs, except those involving sensitive offences such as sexual offences, terrorism, insurgency, and offences under the POCSO Act, must be uploaded within 24 hours of registration so that affected persons may download them.
During earlier proceedings, counsel for the petitioner had informed the Court that attempts to access the portal were unsuccessful and the system repeatedly showed errors. In response, the Court directed the State to produce technical personnel and demonstrate the functioning of the portal and mobile app.
On the final hearing, senior police officers and the technical team appeared before the Court through video conferencing and demonstrated how users can register on the Citizen Portal and then access FIRs through both the portal and the Devbhoomi Mobile App. The State also placed before the Court details showing 70 successful FIR download hits by different users on September 22, 2026.
The State informed the Court that all FIRs were available online except those relating to sensitive categories, which are exempt from mandatory uploading under the Supreme Court’s directions.
While accepting that such exempt FIRs need not be uploaded, the High Court observed that the system should ideally display a message or feature indicating that certain FIRs are unavailable because they fall within exempt categories. The Bench said this would help users understand why a particular FIR cannot be downloaded.
The police assured the Court that the suggestion would be examined and implemented.
Since the petitioner’s grievance stood addressed and no other issue remained for consideration, the Court closed the PIL.
Bottom Line :
FIRs are required to be made available for download on the Citizen Portal/Mobile App in terms of Supreme Court directions, except sensitive categories such as sexual offences, insurgency, terrorism, POCSO and similar offences; for excluded FIRs, system should indicate that the FIR is not available due to falling in such exempt category.
Statutory provision(s):
No specific statutory provision cited; directions considered under Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India (2016) 9 SCC 473.
National Public Service Trust v. State of Uttarakhand, (Utt)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2985635
