The launch of ‘BHARATPOL’ is ushering India into a new era in international investigations: Amit Shah

By R Anil Kumar

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, inaugurates the BHARATPOL portal developed by CBI in New Delhi

• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the launch of ‘BHARATPOL’, India is ushering into a new era in international investigations-Amit Shah

• ‘BHARATPOL’ and the three new criminal laws will serve as a strong mechanism to catch fugitives who flee abroad-Home Minister

New Delhi, January 8. ‘BHARATPOL’ will play a significant role in crime control by connecting investigative agencies and the police of all states to the INTERPOL network of 195 countries said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

He was Speaking at the Inauguration of BHARATPOL portal developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on January 7.

‘BHARATPOL’ network will enable cooperation with 195 countries in combating crimes related with drugs, weapons, human trafficking, and other cross-border offenses and ‘BHARATPOL’ will have access to 19 types of databases from INTERPOL, which will be helpful in analysing crimes, preventing them, and apprehending criminalsUnion Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, said.

In his address, Amit Shah, stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is ushering into a new era in international investigation with the launch of BHARATPOL.

He mentioned that through BHARATPOL, every agency and police force in India will be able to seamlessly connect with INTERPOL, thereby expediting investigations.

Amit Shah said that the country will celebrate the centenary of independence in the year 2047 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the present period as Amrit Kaal.

He said that 140 crore people of the country have also acknowledged this period as Amrit Kaal and taken a collective pledge to make India first in every sphere in the world by 2047.

There are many milestones to achieve in fulfilment of this resolve, and the first milestone will be to make India the third largest economy in the world by 2027, S. Shah said and stated that ‘Amrit Kaal’ is the time period to fulfil the resolve to make India a fully developed nation by 2047 and that ‘Amrit kaal’ is a golden opportunity for India, he added.

The Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India’s journey from being a regional leader to a global leader is being shaped through scientific roadmaps and time-bound execution of programs.

He also said that India has continued to make good progress in this path. Shah emphasized on the need to upgrading our systems and mechanisms as we move forward and tackle global challenges, and BHARATPOL is a timely step in that direction.

The five key modules of BHARATPOL – Connect, INTERPOL Notices, References, Broadcast, and Resources – provide a technological platform to support all our law enforcement agenciesAmit Shah stated.

He explained that through Connect, all our law enforcement agencies will essentially function as an extension of INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB-New Delhi).

Shah added that the system will ensure quick, secure, and structured transmission of requests for INTERPOL notices, enabling a scientific mechanism to swiftly locate criminals from India and across the globe, within India.

Amit Shah highlighted that the INTERPOL References from 195 countries will make it much simpler to seek and provide international assistance for investigations abroad.

He mentioned that requests for assistance from 195 countries will now be immediately available through the Broadcast module, while the Resources module will facilitate the exchange and management of documents and capacity-building initiatives.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation highlighted the portal’s key feature — a real-time interface — that will enable seamless and effective communication among agencies to enhance crime control measures.

The portal will significantly expedite responses to domestic and international requests for real-time data sharing, including the issuance of Red Corner Notices and other alerts through a global network, Shah stated.

He noted that, for years, criminals committing crimes in India and fleeing to other countries have evaded the reach of Indian laws. However, with the implementation of modern systems like BHARATPOL, such criminals can now be brought within the ambit of justice.

Amit Shah said that the Modi Government has introduced the provision of Trial in Absentia in the three new criminal laws, enabling the prosecution of fugitive criminals even in their absence through court orders while ensuring a fair judicial process.

He explained that this provision will simplify the process of extraditing convicted criminals from foreign countries to India.

Shah emphasized that, combined with the capabilities of the BHARATPOL portal, this new measure will empower Indian law enforcement agencies to bring fugitives to justice, no matter where they hide.

He urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take the lead in implementing BHARATPOL and ensuring its widespread training at the grassroots level. This, he said, will strengthen the judicial system, enhance transparency, and improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

The Union Home Minister highlighted the transformative potential of the new system in addressing crimes such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and cross-border terrorism.

He noted that the BHARATPOL network will greatly assist state police forces by facilitating collaboration with law enforcement agencies in 195 countries through real-time information sharing on such crimes.

Amit Shah laid stress on the importance of raising awareness among law enforcement agencies about INTERPOL notices and institutionalizing this system. He pointed out that one of the key benefits will be the access to 19 types of INTERPOL databases, enabling young officers to analyse data, develop crime prevention strategies, and apprehend criminals more effectively.

Shah also emphasized the system’s capability to address emerging challenges in cybercrime with greater speed and efficiency. He described the entire initiative as revolutionary, with the potential to redefine investigative processes and elevate law enforcement to new heights.

As the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India (NCB-New Delhi), the CBI plays a pivotal role in facilitating international cooperation on criminal cases in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies across the country. This coordination extends across the central, state, and Union Territory levels and is managed through INTERPOL Liaison Officers (ILOs).

These ILOs work in conjunction with Unit Officers (UOs), who typically hold positions such as Superintendents of Police, Police Commissioners, or Branch Chiefs within their respective organizations. Currently, communication between the CBI, ILOs, and UOs is primarily conducted through traditional methods, including letters, emails, and faxes.

Amit Shah also presented police medals to 35 award-winning CBI officers, who were honoured with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation. On this occasion, several dignitaries, including the Union Home Secretary Govind Kohan, the Director of CBI Praveen Sood, and the Secretary of DoPT, RACHNA SHAH, were present.