CBDT’s Digital Evidence Investigation Manual

The CBDT has issued a comprehensive document called the “Digital Evidence Investigation Manual”. The Manual points out that the days of manual books of account and other documents are getting extinct and that most books of account and documents are maintained on digital media devices. Any worthwhile investigation of such books and documents requires proper handling and thorough analysis to ensure its integrity and evidentiary value. The Manual provides insight into the legal framework for acquiring digital evidence, a step-by-step procedure as to how such devices should be approached, how relevant data be identified and how clones have to be prepared and utilized for the purposes of investigative analysis.

The Manual will prove to be of immense utility to all tax officials and professionals battling the menace of unaccounted money in the economy.