Bandbaajabarat at 21:32, 17 February 2025

2025-02-17T21:32:39Z

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{{Short description|Crime monitoring portal}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = '''Bharatpol'''
| logo = [[File:Bharatpol.svg|150px]]
| logo_caption = Logo
| established = {{start date and age|2025|01|07}}
| parent_organization = [[Central Bureau of Investigation]]
| headquarters = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| purpose = Crime monitoring and analysis
| website = {{url|https://bharatpol.cbi.gov.in/}}
}}

'''Bharatpol''' is an Indian crime monitoring portal under the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI), formed to exchange information quickly and enable the [[Law enforcement in India|Indian law enforcement agencies]] to communicate with other international law enforcement agencies.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=6 January 2025 |title=Amit Shah to launch Bharatpol for international police assistance |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amit-shah-to-launch-bharatpol-for-international-police-assistance-101736173415730.html |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chauhan |first=Neeraj |date=7 January 2025 |title=Shah to launch Bharatpol portal today to help govt agencies |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/shah-to-launch-bharatpol-portal-today-to-help-govt-agencies-101736189702618.html |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

On January 7, 2025, the [[Indian Home Minister]] [[Amit Shah]], officially launched the '''Bharatpol''' platform.<ref name=":5">{{cite news |title=Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, inaugurates the BHARATPOL portal developed by CBI in New Delhi |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2090877 |access-date=8 January 2025 |agency=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=7 January 2025}}</ref>

==Introduction==
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) coordinates international crime-related cooperation with a number of local agencies, including law enforcement authorities (LEAs), in its capacity as India's National Central Bureau for [[Interpol]]. Unit officers (UOs), such as [[Superintendent of police (India)|superintendents]] and [[Commissioner of Police (India)|commissioners of police]] within respective [[Jurisdiction|jurisdictions]], are contacted by Interpol liaison officers (ILOs) at the federal, state, and [[union territory]] (UT) levels to facilitate this coordination. In the past, letters, emails, and [[Fax|faxes]] were the primary means of contact between CBI, ILOs, and UOs; this slows down response times. Bharatpol is expected to streamline the process of processing requests for international assistance via Interpol.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2025-01-07 |title=Amit Shah to launch CBI's Bharatpol portal for international police assistance |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amit-shah-to-launch-cbis-bharatpol-portal-for-international-police-assistance/articleshow/117003973.cms |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, will launch BHARATPOL portal developed by CBI on January 07, 2025 in New Delhi |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2090659 |access-date=8 January 2025 |agency=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=6 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jain |first=Bharti |date=2025-01-06 |title=Amit Shah set to launch Bharatpol portal on Tuesday |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amit-shah-set-to-launch-bharatpol-portal-on-tuesday/articleshow/117001787.cms |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

The emergence of [[Transnational crime|transnational crimes]], including [[organized crime]], [[illegal drug trade]], [[human trafficking]], [[Financial crime|financial crimes]], [[cybercrime]], [[online youth radicalization]], and [[terrorism]] necessitates prompt international cooperation in criminal investigations.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1" /> The Bharatpol portal will help bring all pertinent stakeholders together on one platform in order to meet this need. A useful tool for police officers, increasing their efficiency in addressing security and criminal issues. According to the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] (MHA), it will facilitate quicker access to foreign assistance, strengthening India's fight against transnational crimes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baidya |first=Satyaki |date=6 January 2025 |title=CBI Creates 'Bharatpol' Portal For States, UTs To Submit Requests On Info From Interpol |url=https://www.news18.com/india/cbi-creates-bharatpol-portal-for-states-uts-to-submit-requests-on-info-from-interpol-ws-ab-9179370.html |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 January 2025 |title=Amit Shah to launch BHARATPOL portal for real-time international police assistance |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/amit-shah-to-launch-bharatpol-portal-for-real-time-international-police-assistance20250106215416/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=ANI |language=en}}</ref>

Investigators will have instant access to the records of all wanted criminals on Bharatpol. By facilitating faster access to overseas assistance, officials anticipate that the portal will significantly enhance police officers' effectiveness in combating crimes and security concerns.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Neeta |date=6 January 2025 |title=CBI's New Portal 'BHARATPOL' To Give Probe Agencies Access To Records Of Wanted Accused |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cbis-new-portal-bharatpol-to-give-probe-agencies-access-to-records-of-wanted-accused-7414329 |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Ronit |date=2025-01-07 |title=Months After RG Kar Horror, Junior Doctor Raped By Colleague In Gwalior Hostel, Accused Arrested |url=https://www.news18.com/india/months-after-rg-kar-horror-junior-doctor-raped-by-colleague-in-gwalior-hostel-accused-arrested-9180419.html |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

Prior to Bharatpol, the CBI was largely in charge of handling requests for international assistance; now, all Indian law enforcement agencies will have this capacity.<ref name=":2" /> It is providing access to a consolidated platform for handling requests for international assistance through Interpol for all pertinent parties. Increasing the amount of notices published through Interpol and decreasing delays are the goals of the project, which is overseen by the CBI. Through Interpol's coordination, 100 wanted convicts have been [[repatriated]] to India since 2021, including 26 in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-06 |title=Shah to launch CBI's 'Bharatpol' to make it easy for police, agencies to seek Interpol help |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/amit-shah-cbi-bharatpol-interpol-9763573/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Union Home Minister Amit Shah to launch BHARATPOL portal |url=https://ddnews.gov.in/en/union-home-minister-amit-shah-to-launch-bharatpol-portal/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=ddnews.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2024 |title=Interpol Issued 100 Red Notices On India's Request In 2023, Highest In A Year: CBI Chief |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/interpol-issued-100-red-notices-on-indias-request-in-2023-highest-in-a-year-cbi-chief-6499998 |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref>

== History of Interpol in India ==
The [[Interpol|International Criminal Police Organization]] (Interpol) has had a long history of collaboration with Indian law enforcement agencies. India has been a member of Interpol since 1949, shortly after gaining its independence, and has played an integral role in the organization's global fight against [[transnational crime]], [[terrorism]], and [[cybercrime]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=INDIA |url=https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/INDIA |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=interpol.int |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=INTERPOL member countries |url=https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=interpol.int |language=en}}</ref>

=== Early membership (1949–1970s) ===
India joined Interpol on June 4, 1949, to enhance its cooperation in global criminal justice and law enforcement. This membership allowed India to connect with an international network dedicated to fighting crime.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was appointed as India's National Central Bureau (NCB), serving as the main bridge between Interpol and Indian authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Central Bureaus (NCBs) |url=https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/National-Central-Bureaus-NCBs |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=interpol.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India in INTERPOL |url=https://cbi.gov.in/india-in-interpol}}</ref>

Initially, Interpol's work in India concentrated on serious issues such as organized crime, human trafficking, and smuggling, with India's strategic location between [[Asia]] and the [[Middle East]] playing a crucial role.

=== Cold War era (1970s–1990s) ===
During the Cold War, India's National Central Bureau (NCB) adjusted its focus to address new global crime challenges. India collaborated with Interpol to combat the smuggling of drugs, particularly from [[Afghanistan]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. India worked with Interpol to [[extradite]] criminals linked to serious crimes, including economic offenses and terrorism. A significant case was the [[1993 Bombay bombings|1993 Mumbai bomb blasts]], where Interpol's [[Red corner notice|Red Corner Notices]] (RCNs) were used to pursue suspects like [[Dawood Ibrahim]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mohan |first=Vishwa |date=2006-04-08 |title=Interpol sends special notice against Dawood Ibrahim |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/interpol-sends-special-notice-against-dawood-ibrahim/articleshow/1483035.cms |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

=== Post-Liberalization era (1990s–2010s) ===
After India liberalized its economy, there were major changes in various sectors, including technology and international security challenges. India increased its focus on issues like cybercrime and financial fraud, driven by the rise in online scams, [[phishing]], and hacking. This required improved cooperation with Interpol to tackle these crimes effectively. Following the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], India began to depend more on Interpol for sharing intelligence and tracking global terrorist networks. Issuing Red Notices for wanted suspects and working closely with countries like the U.S. and U.K. became common practice. Interpol assisted in training Indian law enforcement agencies in important areas such as forensics, cybercrime investigations, and data analysis, enhancing their capabilities to respond to these emerging threats.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cybercrime |url=https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Cybercrime |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=interpol.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-08-26 |title=Interpol issues notices against Zarar Shah, Abu al-Qama |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/interpol-issues-notices-against-zarar-shah-abu-al-qama/articleshow/4937142.cms |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Country Reports on Terrorism 2019 |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2019/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=- LESSONS FROM THE MUMBAI TERRORIST ATTACKS |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-111shrg49484/html/CHRG-111shrg49484.htm |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=govinfo.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mohan |first=Vishwa |date=2012-11-07 |title=India 'hauls up' Pak for ignoring Interpol notice against Dawood Ibrahim |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-hauls-up-pak-for-ignoring-interpol-notice-against-dawood-ibrahim/articleshow/17121819.cms |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2009-06-15 |title=Preventing Another Mumbai |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/preventing-another-mumbai-building-a-police-operational-art/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Combating Terrorism Center at West Point |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview With TIMES NOW TV |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/sca/rls/rmks/2010/151986.htm |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=U.S. Department of State}}</ref>

=== From Interpol to Bharatpol ===
The Bharatpol platform launched in January 2025 will help the Indian law enforcement authorities to streamline communication with Interpol. Real-time and secure transmission of Interpol notices, including the sending of Red Corner Notices (RCNs) and other alerts over a worldwide network, will be responded to by Bharatpol more quickly both domestically and internationally. The Interpol references from 195 countries will be integrated for global assistance. Local agencies would be able to access the international support requests instantly. The platform will help in capacity-building and, document management and interchange. It will have access to 19 different kinds of Interpol databases.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Manral |first=Mahender Singh |date=2025-01-07 |title=Amit Shah launches Bharatpol: how this portal aims to help probe transnational crimes |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-bharatpol-amit-shah-launched-9765386/ |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The CBI Systems Division is in charge of developing and maintaining the portal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BHARATPOL |url=https://bharatpol.cbi.gov.in/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=bharatpol.cbi.gov.in}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Cybercrime]]
* [[Europol]], a similar EU-wide organization.
* [[Intelligence assessment]]
* [[International Criminal Court]]
* [[Interpol notice]]
* [[Interpol Terrorism Watch List]]
* [[Interpol Travel Document]]
* [[InterPortPolice]]
* [[Operation Identify Me]]
* [[United Nations Police|UN Police]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{url|https://bharatpol.cbi.gov.in|Official site}}
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Bharatpol - Revision history

Bandbaajabarat at 21:32, 17 February 2025