Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveils Bharatpol, a cutting-edge platform by the CBI for real-time international police collaboration. Streamlining global crime investigations, the portal enhances efficiency and transparency.
Amit Shah to Launch Bharatpol: A New Platform for International Police Assistance
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to inaugurate Bharatpol, a cutting-edge platform developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Tuesday in New Delhi. This revolutionary digital system is designed to streamline international police coordination, making it more efficient and entirely paperless.
The platform will bring together law enforcement agencies (LEAs) from states, union territories, and central bodies, enabling them to manage requests and share information in real time for international criminal investigations.
What is Bharatpol?
Bharatpol is a centralized digital tool that enables seamless communication between Indian law enforcement agencies and international counterparts through Interpol. The platform aims to expedite the processing of international assistance requests, including those related to extradition, deportation, and the issuance of Interpol notices such as Red Notices.
Currently, the communication process among the CBI, Interpol Liaison Officers (ILOs), and Unit Officers (UOs) relies on traditional methods like letters, emails, and faxes. Bharatpol replaces this outdated approach with a modern, paperless system, making collaboration faster and more efficient.
The Need for Bharatpol
The rise of transnational crimes such as cybercrime, financial fraud, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and online radicalization has created an urgent demand for real-time international cooperation. The CBI, which serves as India’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol, manages international requests from various state and union territory police forces.
In 2023, the CBI handled over 17,000 requests for international assistance, along with the issuance of 100 Red Notices—the highest ever in a single year. Despite these achievements, the conventional methods often caused delays due to extensive back-and-forth communication.
How Bharatpol Will Transform International Collaboration
Real-Time Communication:
The Bharatpol platform allows for instant sharing of critical information between CBI, state agencies, and Interpol. This eliminates delays associated with manual processes and ensures faster responses to requests.
Streamlined Interpol Notices:
Bharatpol simplifies the issuance and management of various types of Interpol notices:
Red Notice: Locating and provisionally arresting fugitives.
Yellow Notice: Identifying missing persons.
Blue Notice: Gathering information on a person’s identity or activities.
Black Notice: Identifying unidentified bodies.
Green Notice: Alerting authorities about criminal activities.
Orange Notice: Warning about serious and imminent threats.
Purple Notice: Sharing information on criminal methods, devices, or concealment techniques.
Paperless Operations:
All requests and responses are now digital, ensuring a faster, more transparent workflow for international cooperation.
Empowering Field-Level Officers:
Bharatpol enhances the efficiency of police officers by providing easy access to tools for handling international criminal investigations.
CBI’s Role in Bharatpol’s Development
The concept for Bharatpol was approved in 2022 under the leadership of CBI Director Praveen Sood. Recognizing the challenges posed by traditional communication methods, the CBI prioritized the creation of a unified platform that integrates all stakeholders.
The portal is accessible through the CBI’s official website and serves as a central hub for coordinating international criminal investigations. It will bring together Interpol Liaison Officers (ILOs) at various levels, including state and central agencies, creating a more cohesive system for law enforcement cooperation.
Addressing Modern Challenges in Crime Prevention
Transnational crimes are becoming increasingly complex, often requiring cross-border collaboration. Bharatpol offers a solution to this challenge by making international assistance requests faster and more accessible. With real-time capabilities, law enforcement agencies can respond more effectively to cases involving cybercrime, organized crime, and terrorism.
The platform will also play a significant role in combating other threats, such as human trafficking and financial crimes, by providing law enforcement with timely access to crucial information.
A Step Towards Modernizing Law Enforcement
Bharatpol represents a major milestone in the digital transformation of India’s law enforcement infrastructure. By enabling faster communication and better coordination, the platform will strengthen India’s efforts to combat global criminal networks.
The launch of Bharatpol marks a new era in law enforcement, where technology plays a pivotal role in tackling modern security challenges. Through this initiative, India reaffirms its commitment to enhancing international cooperation and building a safer, more secure world.
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