Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday unveiled the Bharatpol portal, a platform designed to streamline the process of seeking international assistance in criminal matters. “The growing footprint of transnational crimes including cyber-crime, financial crimes, online radicalization, organized crimes, drug trafficking, human trafficking etc, necessitates rapid and real-time international assistance in criminal investigations. To address this challenge, CBI has developed Bharatpol portal, accessible through its official website, which will bring all the stakeholders on a common platform,” the home ministry said.
What is Bharatpol?
The Bharatpol portal is a centralised digital platform aimed at improving collaboration between Indian law enforcement agencies and international counterparts. By enabling real-time information sharing, it facilitates quicker and more efficient responses to criminal activities that cross borders.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the launch event, said, “Bharatpol will take our country’s international investigations to a new era. Previously, only the CBI worked with Interpol, but now, every Indian agency and all state police forces can connect with Interpol directly. This will bridge gaps and allow us to work efficiently to control crime.”
Key features of Bharatpol
The Bharatpol portal offers a host of advanced features to enhance India’s fight against transnational crime. It enables real-time information sharing, expediting exchanges between Indian and international law enforcement agencies while addressing delays from traditional communication methods.
As a centralised platform, Bharatpol processes international criminal investigation requests, including issuing Red Notices and other Interpol notices for fugitives. It fosters seamless collaboration among central, state, and Union Territory agencies, improving coordination across jurisdictions. By replacing outdated systems like letters and faxes with digital solutions, Bharatpol ensures streamlined communication between the CBI, Interpol Liaison Officers (ILOs), and Unit Officers (UOs).
Designed to address the growing threats of cybercrime, financial fraud, human trafficking, and organized crime, the portal also empowers field-level officers with tools to combat cross-border challenges effectively and strengthen India’s global crime-fighting capabilities.
Why Bharatpol matters?
The launch of Bharatpol reflects the government’s commitment to empowering law enforcement agencies. Amit Shah called it a “landmark day”, emphasising the portal’s role in fulfilling the government’s vision of a secure Bharat.
A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spokesperson highlighted the urgency of addressing transnational crimes and said, “The growing threats of cybercrime, financial fraud and organised crime demand rapid international assistance. Bharatpol unites stakeholders on a common platform, ensuring faster, more effective responses.”
How were international criminal matters coordinated till now?
The CBI, which serves as India’s national central bureau for Interpol, has traditionally coordinated international criminal matters through liaison officers. Previously, this process relied on manual communication, often causing significant delays. With Bharatpol, requests for international assistance can now be processed in real-time, significantly reducing response times.
The portal also simplifies the issuance of Red Notices, which are critical in tracking and apprehending fugitives. By integrating all stakeholders, including state police forces and other central agencies, Bharatpol strengthens India’s ability to respond to global criminal challenges.
The launch of Bharatpol is part of India’s broader efforts to enhance the capabilities of its law enforcement agencies. Over the years, the CBI has successfully coordinated with Interpol to extradite fugitives and the new portal is expected to accelerate such efforts.
The platform is particularly valuable in addressing the complexities of modern crimes, such as online radicalisation and cyber fraud, which often require rapid international collaboration.
“This initiative will enhance the global reach of our investigation agencies, ensuring a more secure Bharat for all,” Amit Shah said. The portal is not just a technological upgrade—it represents a strategic shift in how India approaches international crime and security.
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