Panchkula: Haryana Police website faces persistent technical glitches

The newly upgraded Haryana Police website, which was launched to make police services more accessible and efficient, is facing major technical problems. People trying to use the website have complained about slow loading times, repeated login errors, and difficulty downloading important documents like FIRs and police certificates.

The website was updated with the aim of helping citizens easily apply for or download documents such as character certificates, police clearance certificates, FIRs for stolen vehicles, and e-FIR downloads. However, the experience has been frustrating for most users. Instead of getting quicker service, many people say they are stuck in long wait times and complicated steps.

A police officer in Panchkula, who requested anonymity, said the website is being upgraded by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the official agency that supports government websites and IT systems. “The technical issues are known, and they will be resolved soon,” the officer said.

Login process proving difficult and confusing

One of the major issues with the website is its login process, which requires users to enter their mobile numbers and one-time passwords (OTPs) every time they want to access a service. Users are facing difficulties even after successfully logging in, as the system sometimes asks for the mobile number and OTP again just to view or download an FIR.

A local resident explained the problem: “I logged in using my mobile number and OTP. But to view my FIR, I had to enter the mobile number and OTP again. There’s also no easy or visible option to download the FIR, which makes it very time-consuming.”

Another complaint is that the website doesn’t work well for people without mobile phones. Since OTP-based login is required for every session, those who don’t own or use mobile phones are completely locked out of the system. This is especially hard for older citizens or those living in rural areas.

There are also two types of login options on the website:

1. A quick one-time login using mobile number and OTP

2. A full sign-up option that requires detailed personal information like name, address, and ID details

Many users have said that both login methods are unnecessarily complex, especially for those who are not comfortable with technology.

Citizens demand simpler and faster website

Many people in Panchkula have expressed frustration with the current state of the police website. SK Nayar, the president of the Citizens’ Welfare Association, said that a public service website must be easy to use, quick, and accessible to everyone.

“If it’s difficult to use and full of technical errors, then it defeats the whole purpose. The main aim should be to help citizens, not create more problems,” Nayar said.

He added that many people, especially senior citizens and those without digital skills, are finding it hard to get basic documents like FIRs. Some people are even visiting police stations in person because the website doesn’t work properly.

Residents also reported that session timeouts happen frequently, meaning that users are logged out automatically in the middle of their tasks. When they try to log in again, they are often required to start from scratch. This repeated process is not only annoying but also wastes valuable time, especially for people in urgent need of documents.

ALSO READ: Haryana government appoints Sumita Misra as nodal officer for Census 2027

ALSO READ: RTI activist and YouTuber arrested for extortion in Gurugram, say Haryana police

Website goals and expectations

The upgraded police portal was supposed to make public services easier. It was designed to reduce the need for people to visit police stations, allowing them to complete tasks online. Services like filing e-FIRs, downloading previous FIRs, and applying for police verification were expected to be much simpler through the website.

The Haryana Police and NIC said the changes were made to improve security and efficiency. For example, the OTP-based login system was introduced to ensure that only the correct person could access sensitive documents. But these very security features have made the website harder to use.

Despite the complaints, officials say they are working on fixing the problems. The police officer from Panchkula assured that the NIC team is already aware of the glitches and will be resolving them soon. However, no specific timeline was given.

The Haryana Police website was updated with the intention of helping citizens. But at the moment, technical problems, a complicated login process, and access issues are causing frustration for many people across the state.

For digital public services to succeed, they must be user-friendly, fast, and simple, especially when they involve essential services like police documents. The government may need to rethink the current system and take feedback seriously to improve the platform.

Until the technical glitches are fixed and the website becomes more accessible, many citizens may continue to struggle with basic police services—something the system was supposed to prevent in the first place.