NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the Bharatpol portal, designed to streamline the process for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in India to seek international assistance through Interpol in criminal matters.
The portal facilitates requests for issuing ‘Red’ and other colour-coded notices against fugitives wanted for crimes in India.
Amit Shah during the launch said, "'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 launch of Bharatpol, every Indian agency and all states' police will easily be able to connect with the Interpol... We will be able to bridge gaps and work efficiently to control crime."
Highlighting the government’s commitment to empowering LEAs, the home ministry stated that the Bharatpol portal will significantly enhance coordination among central law enforcement agencies and state police by enabling real-time information sharing and faster access to international police assistance.
“This is a landmark day as the Bharatpol portal, developed by the CBI, will enhance the global reach of our investigation agencies, fulfilling the government’s vision of a secure Bharat for all,” Shah said during the launch, held alongside the CBI investiture ceremony. During the event, Shah also presented police medals to 35 CBI officers.
The CBI, as the national central bureau for Interpol in India, facilitates international cooperation in criminal matters through collaboration with agencies across the country. This coordination, executed via Interpol liaison officers (ILOs) at the central, state, and UT levels, is now expected to become more efficient with Bharatpol. Previously, communication among the CBI, ILOs, and unit officers (UOs) relied on letters, emails, and faxes, often resulting in delays.
“The growing threat of transnational crimes—such as cybercrime, financial fraud, online radicalisation, organised crime, drug and human trafficking—demands rapid and real-time international assistance,” a spokesperson from the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said. The Bharatpol portal, accessible through the CBI’s official website, addresses this challenge by uniting all stakeholders on a common platform.
The portal is poised to become a transformative tool for field-level police officers, enhancing their ability to combat crimes and security challenges efficiently. By facilitating quicker access to international assistance, it strengthens India’s efforts against transnational crime.
Several dignitaries and senior officers from the external affairs and home ministries, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), and other central police organisations attended the launch event.
All you need to know about Bharatpol Portal:
Real-time information sharing: BHARATPOL facilitates quicker and more efficient real-time sharing of information among law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in India and internationally.
Centralized platform for International assistance: The portal offers a unified platform to process international requests related to criminal investigations, including the issuance of Red Notices and other INTERPOL notices.
Enhanced collaboration: It improves collaboration between central, state, and union territory law enforcement agencies, providing seamless communication between various police bodies.
Streamlined communication: The portal replaces outdated communication methods (letters, emails, faxes) with faster, digital solutions, ensuring more efficient exchanges between CBI, INTERPOL Liaison Officers (ILOs), and Unit Officers (UOs).
Tackling transnational crimes: It addresses the growing threat of transnational crimes such as cybercrime, financial fraud, human trafficking, and organized crime by facilitating rapid international assistance.
Transformative tool for field-level officers: BHARATPOL provides field-level police officers with the tools to effectively tackle crimes and security challenges with improved access to international support.
Improved response time: The portal will significantly reduce the time needed to process international requests for assistance, enhancing India's response to global criminal issues.
Strengthening India's law enforcement: The platform is part of the broader effort to strengthen India’s law enforcement agencies and improve the coordination between them in tackling transnational crime
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