India

19 types of databases available to catch fugitives: Shah to agencies

January 7, 2025

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the Bharatpol portal and said investigators will have access to 19 types of Interpol databases, enabling young officers to analyse data, develop crime prevention strategies and apprehend criminals more effectively.

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He said the time has come for Indian investigation agencies to use modern technology and techniques to nab fugitives fleeing abroad or operating outside India’s border.

The five key modules of Bharatpol – Connect, Interpol Notices, References, Broadcast and Resources – provide a technological platform to support all law enforcement agencies. Shah said through Connect, law enforcement agencies will essentially function as an extension of Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB, New Delhi). He added the system would ensure quick, secure and structured transmission of requests for Interpol notices within India, enabling a scientific mechanism to swiftly locate criminals from India and across the globe.

The home minister highlighted that Interpol References from 195 countries will make it much simpler to seek and help with investigations abroad. He said that requests for assistance from 195 countries will now be immediately available through the Broadcast module while the Resources module will facilitate the exchange and management of documents and capacity-building initiatives.

The portal’s key feature is a real-time interface that will enable seamless and effective communication among agencies to enhance crime control measures.