Speed up trial in cases where accused are caught red-handed, draw up heatmaps to flag hotspots where neighbourhood disputes are frequently reported, and ensure legal follow-up in road rage cases: Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha has issued a slew of directions to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCPs) across 15 districts of the Capital to fast-track criminal investigation, The Indian Express has learnt.Under the new order, investigating officers must file chargesheets within seven to 15 days of arrest in the cases where the accused has been caught red-handed, such as snatching incidents. After this, fast‑track trial proceedings should be actively pursued, the police chief said. The target, laid down in directions issued by Golchha, is part of a broader push to accelerate investigations and secure convictions, said officers.The directives were issued in the Crime Review Meeting held last week, according to officers.With court trials dragging forever in a majority of cases, there has been a mounting pressure to improve conviction rates and fast-track criminal investigations, said officers. In the last two weeks, at least 10 to 15 ‘quick-chargesheet’ cases have been finalised, filed and pushed toward trial, officers added.Senior officers have been instructed to monitor compliance closely. Joint Commissioners of Police have been tasked with reviewing districtwise progress every fortnight and report directly to the CP’s office. “The message is simple: disposals cannot slow down,” said an officer familiar with the implementation of the directives, adding, “Every fortnight, numbers have to go up.”The focus is not limited to filing chargesheets. In another set of directions, investigating officers have been asked to coordinate closely with public prosecutors to maximise conviction outcomes in contested trials. Acquittals have to be personally reviewed by district DCPs to identify “systemic investigation lapses”, Golchha directed.He also directed that the high volume of PCR calls linked to quarrels and neighbourhood disputes across Delhi must be constantly reviewed. District units have been asked to prepare detailed monthly analyses of quarrel-related calls, mapping call volumes, geographical concentration, time-of-day patterns and repeat callers, and heatmaps to identify “hotspots”. Repeated complainants and habitual offenders are to be tracked through data analysis, the direction mentioned.Story continues below this adThe instructions also called for ‘red-flagging’ individuals involved in repeated complaints over time.“Officers are expected to initiate preventive legal action from the second recurring complaint onward. Road rage incidents received special mention in the directives, with orders that such calls should not be closed as routine quarrels without legal follow-up,” the directive stated.The push extended to surveillance too. CCTV footage from identified hotspots has to be proactively collected, preserved and reviewed in all significant cases. PCR calls have also to be sub-classified by location, recurrence and timing to identify ‘underlying socio-spatial factors’.One data point has appeared to shape deployment strategy more than others: the bulk of quarrel-related PCR calls, the documents noted, are received between 8 pm and midnight. All districts are instructed toStory continues below this adincrease police presence during those hours, with time-specific deployment plans.On paper, the directives reflect a policing model built on speed, data analysis and preventive enforcement. But several officers said the cumulative effect was a culture where numerical compliance became central to day-to-day functioning. Said another officer, “Eventually, targets stop looking administrative, and begin shaping decisions on the ground.” Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram