 "What is ‘Bharatpol’? How will it help India track fugitives abroad?")
Developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched the ‘Bharatpol’ portal.
Initially, the online platform was exclusively used by the central investigative agency.
However, it is now accessible to all agencies, including state police forces.
But what is this portal, and how does it aim to support the country’s police departments?
What is Bharatpol?
Bharatpol is a broadcast hub designed to help with real-time action against transnational crimes through international police cooperation. It enables central and state agencies to connect seamlessly with Interpol, helping speed up investigations.
As the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India (NCB-New Delhi), the CBI is responsible for international cooperation on criminal cases with various law enforcement agencies across the country. This coordination includes central, state, and Union Territory levels and is facilitated through Interpol Liaison Officers (ILOs).
These ILOs work alongside Unit Officers (UOs), who are typically Superintendents of Police, Police Commissioners, or Branch Chiefs within their organisations.
Currently, communication between the CBI, ILOs, and UOs relies on traditional methods such as letters, emails, and faxes, which can delay critical processes.
With the rise in transnational crimes such as cybercrime , organised crime, drug trafficking , and human trafficking, there was an urgent need for faster and more efficient international collaboration.
This is where Bharatpol can help.
The Union Home Minister said that Bharatpol would allow every agency and police force in India to connect effortlessly with Interpol, accelerating investigations.
The portal will enable police forces from states, Union Territories, and central agencies to quickly send requests to Interpol for information about fugitives abroad or other critical matters.
In 2024, India successfully brought back 26 fugitive criminals residing abroad through Interpol. Since 2021, nearly 100 criminals have been extradited to India. The new platform aims to further expedite cases involving criminals located overseas.
How real-time interface is a key feature of Bharatpol
According to the Home Minister, the portal’s real-time interface is a critical feature that enables seamless and effective communication among agencies.
He said that the platform will particularly accelerate responses to both domestic and international requests for real-time data sharing. This includes issuing Red Corner Notices and other alerts through a global network.
He added that, for years, criminals committing offences in India and fleeing to other countries have managed to evade Indian laws.
“With the implementation of modern systems like BHARATPOL, such criminals can now be brought within the ambit of justice,” a press release stated.
The five key modules of Bharatpol
Speaking at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Tuesday, Amit Shah pointed out five key modules of Bharatpol: Connect, Interpol Notices, References, Broadcast, and Resources. These modules provide a technological framework to support all law enforcement agencies.
Connect: Allows law enforcement agencies to function as an extension of Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB-New Delhi).
Interpol Notices: Simplifies the process of seeking and offering international assistance for investigations across 195 countries.
Broadcast: Ensures immediate availability of assistance requests from 195 countries.
Resources: Facilitates the exchange and management of documents as well as capacity-building initiatives.
The platform has been developed to make international cooperation in investigations faster and more efficient.
What Amit Shah said at the launch
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the Bharatpol portal, stating that it would help Indian police departments study and analyse various global crimes, enabling the creation of preventive frameworks.
“Through this, we will be able to bridge many gaps, obtain a lot of information, and, with precision, analyse various types of global crimes, enabling us to create a framework to prevent these crimes before they occur in our country,” he said.
Addressing the launching ceremony of #BHARATPOL, a global interface to curb borderless crimes.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) January 7, 2025
https://t.co/6WuoOwdzhY
Shah stated that the portal will not only help in tracking Indian criminals abroad but also establish a system to locate international criminals within India.
“Through Bharatpol, we will be able to locate our criminals and also establish a streamlined system to locate criminals from around the world in India. Additionally, with references from Interpol, covering 195 countries, providing and receiving international assistance for investigations through the Interpol channel will become much easier,” he added.
The Home Minister also urged the CBI to lead the implementation of Bharatpol.
“This will strengthen the judicial system, enhance transparency, and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi | Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah says, "'Bharatpol' has been launched here today. Bharatpol will take our country's international investigations to a new era. CBI was the only agency identified to work with the Interpol but with the… https://t.co/FtVN6IuMNf pic.twitter.com/vy2IspbSgo
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2025
At the event held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, Shah also presented police medals to 35 award-winning CBI officers. These included the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation.
Among the recipients was the agency’s former Joint Director (Policy), Amit Kumar, who is now with the Chhattisgarh Police. During his tenure at the CBI, Kumar led investigations into coal block allocation cases, resulting in the conviction of multiple accused.
He also oversaw probes into the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, online child sexual abuse cases, cybercrimes, and various economic frauds.
With inputs from agencies
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