Amit Shah launches Bharatpol: All about CBI's new portal to track fugitives abroad

Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Union home minister Amit Shah on January 7 launched Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s Bharatpol portal, which will help the agency to track fugitive criminals and share information with law enforcement agencies in foreign countries to bring such people to justice.

"Tracking those who have escaped abroad gets easier with Bharatpol. It will also get easier to extradite those who have been indicted in foreign courts," Shah said at the launch event in New Delhi.

"The portal will give a new edge to our investigation agencies by enhancing their global reach to fulfil the Modi govt's vision to build a secure Bharat for all," Shah had said earlier in a tweet.

The Bharatpol portal will streamline the processing of all requests for international assistance through Interpol, including the issuance of Red Notices and other colour-coded Interpol notices, according to a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Bharatpol portal will become a transformative tool for field-level police officers, enhancing their efficiency in dealing with crimes and security challenges. By facilitating easier and faster access to international assistance, it will strengthen India's efforts in combating transnational crimes.

"Today, we have launched Bharatpol. It is a beginning of next era of our country's international investigation processes. So far, only CBI was designated to work with Interpol. However, with the formation of Bharatpol, all the agencies of the country and state police will be able to connect with Interpol with great ease," said Shah.

"We will be able to bridge the gap with the help of technology used in Bharatpol. We will be able to receive several information which will help in analysing international crimes which in turn will help us in establishing a structure to stop crimes before they are committed," he added.