Fadnavis says Maoism almost eliminated in Maharashtra, pushes AI policing reforms

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that Maoism in the state is “almost eliminated,” crediting sustained efforts by the police force and remembering the sacrifice of 244 personnel who lost their lives in the fight against left-wing extremism.

Speaking after a high-level conference of senior police officers, Fadnavis said the meeting reviewed 106 agenda points aligned with directives discussed during a national conference chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

C-60 Force to Get Special Recognition

The Chief Minister announced a special “C-60 Medal” for personnel who have served at least three years in the elite anti-Naxal C-60 force.

The move is aimed at recognising the contribution of frontline officers engaged in anti-Maoist operations in the state’s most sensitive regions.

Big Push for Digital Criminal Justice System

Fadnavis emphasised that Maharashtra will fully digitise its criminal justice system—from FIR registration to filing of charge sheets—within the next four months.

He said advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence and blockchain-based evidence systems will be deployed to improve efficiency and transparency.

The Director General of Police has been tasked with ensuring end-to-end digitisation, while AI tools will analyse cases from the past four to five years to identify investigative gaps.

Conviction Rate Still a Concern

Despite improvements, the Chief Minister admitted that conviction rates remain a challenge.

He said:

• Current conviction rate: around 50%
• Target: 95%

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been asked to study failed prosecutions and create a structured policy to address shortcomings.

Focus on Road Safety, Cybercrime & Drugs

Fadnavis highlighted progress in road safety, noting a reduction in accidents, especially in Nagpur and on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

He also stressed:

• Stronger action against cybercrime
• Expansion of the “Drug-Free Campus” campaign
• District-wise anti-narcotics targets

Efforts are also underway to move towards real-time forensic reporting to speed up investigations.

Tech to Track Illegal Immigration

The state is developing a technology tool in collaboration with IIT to identify illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Additionally, district-wise crime analysis is being carried out to identify gaps and improve policing strategies.

Assurances on Ongoing Investigations

Responding to queries, Fadnavis said investigations by Navi Mumbai Police will be fair and no injustice will be done.

He also confirmed that a preliminary inquiry has been initiated into the Satara Superintendent of Police, who is currently on leave, assuring a thorough probe.

Strong Governance Push

With a mix of security achievements and tech-driven reforms, the Maharashtra government is aiming to strengthen law enforcement, improve conviction rates, and modernise policing across the state.