CONVICTION RATE


As per data maintained by National Crime Record Bureau, the conviction rate of States/UTs relating to cognizable crime under Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special & Local Laws (SLL) crimes during 2018, 2019 and 2020 is 66.6, 66.4 and 73.4 respectively.


 “Police” is a State subject falling in List-II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. It is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations to make the police force efficient & capable and its functioning more effective, transparent and accountable. 


   Government has taken several steps on Police reforms which is an ongoing process. The Centre also issues advisories to the States to bring in the requisite reforms in the Police to meet the expectations of the people.


  The Ministry of Home Affairs circulated Model Police Act, 2006 to all State Governments which has a provision of constituting Police Accountability Commission & District Accountability Authority for ensuring accountability of the police including display of good behaviour with members of public with due courtesy and decorum.


   In order to improve the functioning of the police, the Union Government has set up various Commissions/Committees on police reforms, including a Review Committee to review the recommendations of the previous Commissions and Committees. The Review Committee shortlisted 49 recommendations. These recommendations have been sent to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for taking appropriate action.  


   The Ministry of Home Affairs has included a component of “incentives for police reforms” in the implementation structure of the scheme of “Assistance to States for Modernisation of Police”. For this purpose, originally a provision of keeping up to 10% of the total annual allocation of the scheme was made.  This incentive component has been increased to ‘up to 20%’ of the total allocation from the year 2019-20. 


   In order to facilitate police in States/UTs with a common IT platform for filing reports, investigation, collecting and sharing information on crimes and criminals at national level, the MHA has implemented Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) in all police stations. CCTNS has been integrated through Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) to facilitate use of information on crime and criminals in CCTNS with other databases on prisons, prosecution, forensics and courts in a holistic manner for administration of criminal justice.


This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.


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Canada – New conviction and additional charges for repeat offender Scott Steer and associates

Following his arrest on March 2, 2020, Nanaimo-based commercial crab fishing boat master Scott Steer has again been found guilty of serious offences against the Fisheries Act. He was convicted on 5 counts in Vancouver Provincial Court on May 14, 2021, by the Honorable Justice Edelman for illegal activities near North Vancouver, B.C. in early March 2020.

July 29, 2021

Vancouver B.C. – Following his arrest on March 2, 2020, Nanaimo-based commercial crab fishing boat master Scott Steer has again been found guilty of serious offences against the Fisheries Act. He was convicted on 5 counts in Vancouver Provincial Court on May 14, 2021, by the Honorable Justice Edelman for illegal activities near North Vancouver, B.C. in early March 2020.  

Mr. Steer, who has faced serious judicial penalties in the past, including a jail term, a twenty-two year  prohibition from fishing in Canadian or U.S. waters, and significant fines, is currently under 24-hour house arrest and will be sentenced in October of this year. Mr. Steer is currently prohibited by the Courts until 2038 from: applying for any Fisheries Act licences: being on board any fishing vessel; possessing/acquiring any vessels, or  owning any fishing gear. 

On March 1, 2020,  just before midnight, a Vancouver Sea Bus advised the Marine Traffic Center of a vessel fishing crabs in the harbour at night.  The Coast Guard were advised and contacted Conservation and Protection Radio Room Dispatch.  Fishery officers from the Marine Patrol Program enforcement vessel, the M. Charles, investigated and discovered Mr. Steer illegally fishing for crab. After ignoring commands to stop, the vessel was boarded at high speed and Mr. Steer and three crew members were arrested and held in custody by the North Vancouver RCMP.  The fishing vessel, plus a truck and trailer were seized, and 300 live crab found on board were released back into the water.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a mandate to protect and conserve marine resources and to prosecute offenders under the Fisheries Act. It ensures and promotes compliance with the Act and other laws and regulations through a combination of land, air, and sea patrols, as well as education and awareness activities.

Since 2008 there have been 15 different DFO files on Scott Steer.

Over the last several years 4 vessels and two vehicles have been seized as evidence against Mr. Steer.

On May 31, 2021, 8 new charges in Nanaimo were laid against Mr. Steer, and a numbered company owned by a family member, for illegal fishing activities involving the harvest of sea cucumbers between July 2019 and March 2020.

Mr. Steer was again arrested and appeared in Court on June 1, 2021 for a bail hearing for breaching his Court-ordered conditions.

On July 6, 2021, 3 additional new charges against Mr. Steer were sworn in Nanaimo Provincial Court and that case is yet to be heard. 

Two of the three crew members arrested on March 2, 2020, are awaiting trial.

Harvesters who choose to ignore the rules give themselves an unfair advantage, undermine the effective management of the fishery, and threaten the sustainability of the resource.

Excess harvesting threatens conservation. It also could result in management changes or closures, diminish the significant economic benefit from the fishery to coastal communities, recreational fisheries, commercial harvesters and tourism, and threaten the traditional food source for Indigenous people. The commercial crab fishery accounts for almost one third (approximately 31%) of the wholesale value of the province’s wild shellfish products.

Crab caught illegally can be laundered into the legitimate retail market. Only fish caught under a licence, which permits the sale, or purchase of fish, may be purchased or sold. Any fish sold must be processed through a licensed plant to ensure quality and public safety.  Fish that has not been inspected may be unsafe for consumption and post significant health risks.

As part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s work to end illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Leri Davies

Strategic Media Relations Advisor

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region

Cell: 604-612-6837

Leri.davies@dfo-mpo.gc.ca