GS Paper – II: Important International Institutions, Government Policies & Interventions |
Why in News?
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently launched the ‘Bharatpol’ portal in New Delhi. This initiative is seen as a significant step in India’s fight against international crime. The portal aims to track criminals, particularly those fleeing to other states or countries after committing crimes.
Introduction of Bharatpol Portal
The Bharatpol Portal is a digital platform developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the primary aim of enhancing the efficiency of international criminal investigations.
- This portal is specifically designed to streamline the process of handling international requests for assistance through Interpol.
- The portal plays a critical role in improving coordination between Indian law enforcement agencies and their international counterparts.
- By facilitating smoother communication and collaboration, Bharatpol ensures that criminal investigations can be tackled more efficiently, especially when they involve international elements.
- This technological initiative is an important step toward strengthening India’s ability to address global crime challenges while enhancing its cooperation with international agencies in the fight against criminal activities.
About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
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Bharatpol Portal Features
The Bharatpol Portal is designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of criminal investigations.
- Centralized Platform: Bharatpol serves as a unified platform that connects Indian law enforcement agencies with international bodies like Interpol. This centralized system allows for seamless coordination and collaboration.
- Real-Time Information Sharing: One of the portal’s core features is its ability to facilitate real-time information sharing among various law enforcement agencies. This ensures that critical data can be exchanged swiftly to quicker action against criminals.
- Enhanced Global Cooperation: The portal is designed to strengthen global cooperation between Indian authorities and international law enforcement agencies. This will help India to tackle cross border crimes.
- Issuing Notices: Bharatpol simplifies the process of issuing Red Notices and other Interpol notices for criminals attempting to flee the country. This feature ensures that individuals involved in international crimes can be tracked and apprehended across borders.
- Focus on Major Crimes: The portal is particularly focused on combating major crimes, including cybercrime, drug trafficking, financial fraud, and human trafficking. By targeting these high-priority offenses.
Working Process of International Crime Cases in India
In India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is responsible for international cooperation on criminal cases through the National Central Bureau (NCB-Delhi), which acts as the country’s liaison with Interpol.
- This coordination involves agencies at the central, state, and union territory levels, facilitated through Interpol Liaison Officers (ILOs).
- These officers work with Unit Officers (UOs), who are typically senior officials like Superintendents of Police, Police Commissioners, or branch heads within their respective organizations.
- Currently, communication between the CBI, ILOs, and UOs relies on traditional methods such as letters, emails, and faxes. This process can cause delays, affecting the timely execution of international requests and actions.
About National Central Bureau (NCB-Delhi)
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How Bharatpol Portal will work?
The Bharatpol Portal is designed to streamline and enhance the communication and coordination between Indian law enforcement agencies. Here’s a detailed work process of Bharatpol Portal:
- Agency Access and Identification: Law enforcement agencies at the central, state, and union territory levels will access the portal via secure login credentials. These agencies include police departments, central agencies like CBI, and state law enforcement agencies. When an agency identifies a case involving international criminal activity, the agency inputs the relevant details into the portal.
- Request Submission and Tracking: Once the case details are entered, the portal allows law enforcement agencies to send real-time requests for international assistance to Interpol. These requests can be for Red Notices (for criminals fleeing the country), alerts, or other notices related to international crimes.
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- Each agency has designated Interpol Liaison Officers (ILOs) who will receive and manage these requests. The ILOs act as intermediaries between the Indian agencies and Interpol.
- Once a request is sent through the portal, the relevant authorities, including Interpol and other international law enforcement bodies, are immediately notified.
- Unit Officers (UOs), who are usually senior police officers (e.g., Superintendents of Police, Police Commissioners), will be able to track the progress of the case, update information, and communicate directly with Interpol.
- Case Resolution and Action: Once international assistance is provided, and Interpol or relevant foreign law enforcement agencies apprehend the criminal or resolve the case, the portal is updated with the resolution. The involved agencies are notified, and the case is marked as closed or moved forward as necessary.
Way Forward
The Bharatpol Portal represents a significant step in strengthening India’s international crime-fighting capabilities, but its success depends on consistent updates, widespread training for law enforcement personnel, and seamless integration with global systems like Interpol. Regular monitoring, feedback-driven improvements, and collaboration with global agencies will ensure the portal evolves to meet the challenges of increasingly sophisticated cross-border crimes.
Interpol (The International Criminal Police Organization)
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UPSC PYQ (Previous Year Question) Question: The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting a probe within a particular state is being questioned by various States. However, the power of the States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India. (2021) |
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