Seizure Memo (Panchnama)
Definition
The on-scene record of items recovered, witnessed by independent panch witnesses. Signed by the IO and the panchas.
- Purpose
- On-scene record of items recovered
- Witnesses
- Independent panch witnesses
- Signatories
- Investigating officer and panchas
- Jurisdiction
- India
Common questions
Why does a panchnama require independent witnesses rather than police staff alone?+
The independent panch witnesses are meant to corroborate that the seizure happened as recorded, giving the document evidentiary weight against a later defence claim that items were planted or the record fabricated.
What happens if the panchnama is not properly documented?+
Indian courts have treated defects in the seizure memo, such as missing signatures or an unclear description of items, as grounds to question the chain of custody and, in some cases, to weaken the prosecution's reliance on the seized material.
Related terms
- Broken Chain
- Any gap, ambiguity, or contradiction in the custody record that prevents the court from concluding the analysed item is the seized item.
- Chain of Custody
- The documented chronological record of who collected, handled, transferred, and examined a piece of evidence. For digital evidence, chain of custody includes...
- Forwarding Memo
- The transmittal document that accompanies a sealed packet to the FSL. Most Indian states use a state-numbered Form carrying the IO's signature,...
- Sealed Packet Protocol
- The convention that every transfer of an evidence packet between custodians is logged, with the seal inspected and the inspection signed off...