The portal 'Bharatpol' developed by CBI, will enable police forces from states, Union Territories, and central agencies to promptly send requests to Interpol for information on fugitives hiding abroad or any other relevant matters.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched India's new crime-fighting portal called 'Bharatpol' in a bid to facilitate faster international assistance for investigation agencies. The portal is developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The portal developed by CBI, will enable police forces from states, Union Territories, and central agencies to promptly send requests to Interpol for information on fugitives hiding abroad or any other relevant matters.
The portal is coming at a time when transnational crimes such as cybercrime, financial fraud, online radicalisation, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and organised crime are on the rise.
Speaking at the launch of 'Bharatpol at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Shah said it was time Indian investigation agencies use modern technology and techniques to nab fugitives.
According to the union minister, the real-time interface was the most important feature of the portal that will allow central and state agencies to easily connect with the Interpol and speed up their investigations.
"It is time that we use modern technology and techniques to nab and bring to justice the fugitives who absconded from India after committing a crime," Shah said.
"We have to keep an eye on global challenges and update our internal systems. Bharatpol is a step in that direction," he said.
"I would urge the CBI to take the responsibility of training the states for capacity building regarding Bharatpol and also for the three new criminal laws," Shah said.
"We need to institutionalise these systems along with the knowledge of various kinds of Interpol notices and their procedures," he said.
The portal is expected to help the national law enforcement agencies across India to address crimes that cross national borders, facilitating real-time access to critical international crime-fighting resources.
Shah also noted that India's new criminal law, which includes the provision of trials in abstention, will help ensure that criminals fleeing abroad are tried in Indian courts. Once convicted, it will be easier for authorities to seek their deportation or extradition.