IPDR ADMISSIBILITY IN COURT

An IPDR (Internet Protocol Detail Record) report alone is generally not considered sufficient evidence for a criminal conviction. Courts consistently treat IPDR data, much like Call Detail Records (CDR), as corroborative evidence which must be supported by other substantial, independent evidence to secure a conviction. 

Evidentiary Value and Limitations

Corroborative Tool: IPDR data is a vital forensic and intelligence-gathering tool that helps law enforcement agencies track suspect movements, establish communication patterns, map criminal networks, and reconstruct timelines of events. This information is used to support other evidence presented in court.

Metadata Only: IPDRs only contain metadata (source/destination IPs, timestamps, duration, services used, data volume); they do not contain the actual content of communications (e.g., audio of calls, message text). Therefore, they cannot provide direct proof of the nature or content of a criminal conspiracy or act.

Requirement for Corroboration: Without external circumstantial evidence, an IPDR report may be of little use on its own. For example, mere contact between individuals via an IP address (especially if they are related or had a legitimate reason to communicate) does not automatically establish their involvement in a crime syndicate without additional proof of criminal activity.

Admissibility Requirements: For an IPDR report to be admissible in an Indian court, it must strictly comply with the conditions laid down in Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. This usually requires a certificate from a person in a responsible official position at the Internet Service Provider (ISP) confirming the authenticity, integrity, and the manner in which the electronic record was generated and preserved. 

Conclusion

To "punish" a criminal, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and a single piece of circumstantial evidence like an IPDR report is typically insufficient to meet this high standard. It serves as a crucial link in the chain of evidence, but it needs to be combined with other reliable and admissible evidence (such as witness testimony, physical evidence, or confessions) to form a complete and compelling case. 

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