Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently inaugurated the Bharatpol portal, which aims to provide police and security agencies in India with a seamless connection to Interpol, the international Police organisation.

About BHARATPOL Portal

• The BHARATPOL Portal is an initiative to enhance India’s international law enforcement capabilities through streamlined collaboration with INTERPOL.
• Aim: Streamline the processing of requests for international police assistance through INTERPOL.
  • Facilitate real-time information sharing for faster access to international police collaboration.
• Developed By: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) developed the portal and oversees its operation and integration with international law enforcement systems.
• Key Features of BHARATPOL
  • Global Network Integration: Connects Indian investigative agencies to INTERPOL’s global network of 195 countries, enabling seamless collaboration for crime control and international investigations.
  • Access to INTERPOL Databases: Access to 19 types of INTERPOL databases, aiding in crime analysis, prevention, and the apprehension of fugitives.
  • Five Modular Components:
    • Connect: Integrates all Indian law enforcement agencies as an extension of INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB-New Delhi).
    • INTERPOL Notices: Facilitates quick, secure transmission of requests for notices such as Red Corner Notices.
    • References: Simplifies seeking and providing international assistance in investigations.
    • Broadcast: Provides real-time availability of requests for assistance from 195 countries.
    • Resources: Manages documents and supports capacity-building initiatives for law enforcement officers.
  • Real-Time Interface: Includes a real-time communication system that ensures quick and effective data sharing among agencies, enhancing crime control measures.
  • Expedited Responses: Allows for faster handling of international and domestic requests, reducing delays in investigations and increasing efficiency.
  • Support for “Trial in Absentia”: Enables prosecution of fugitives in their absence, ensuring justice is served even if criminals have fled abroad.

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About International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL)

• Purpose: Facilitates international police cooperation to combat cross-border crimes like terrorism, trafficking, and organized crime.
• Establishment Year: 1923.
• Member: 195 member countries.
  • India’s Membership: India has been a member since 1956.
• Status: Independent international organization, not part of the United Nations system.
• Headquarters: Located in Lyon, France.
• Official Languages: Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.
• Role in Investigations: Acts as the first point of contact for international investigations but does not actively investigate crimes.
• Communication System: Member countries are connected through Interpol’s communication system, I-24/7, facilitating real-time contact and access to Interpol’s databases.
• Databases: Interpol manages 19 databases containing information on crimes and criminals, accessible to member countries.

Organizational Structure

• General Assembly:
  • Supreme decision-making body with one delegate from each member country.
  • Decisions are taken during annual meetings.
• General Secretariat:
  • Operates under a Secretary General, who manages day-to-day operations.
  • Secretary General’s Term: Five years, appointed by the General Assembly.
• Executive Committee:
  • Comprises 13 members, each representing a different region.
  • Oversees the implementation of General Assembly decisions and supervises the work of the Secretary General.
• National Central Bureau (NCB):
  • Each member country has an NCB, acting as the central point of contact with INTERPOL and other NCBs globally.
  • NCBs are managed by police officials and are typically housed in the government ministry responsible for policing (in India’s case, the Union Home Ministry).
  • In India, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) serves as the NCB.

Types of Notices

• 8 types of notices (7 of which are colour-coded):  In the form of alerts/requests allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.
• These notices are issued by the Interpol’s General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s Interpol National Central Bureau, and are made available for all member countries.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

• Origin:
  • Established in 1941 as the Special Police Establishment (SPE) to investigate bribery and corruption during World War II in transactions with the War and Supply Department.
• Establishment of CBI:
  • Recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964).
  • Set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs and later transferred to the Ministry of Personnel.
• Legal Status:
  • Not a statutory body; derives powers from the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946.
• Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, which falls under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
• Functions and Responsibilities:
  • Dual Responsibility:
    • Investigates grievous cases of national importance.
    • Provides leadership and direction to fight corruption across the police force in the country.
  • Superintendence:
    • For cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the superintendence lies with the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

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• Appointment of CBI Director:
  • Pre-2014 Process: Appointed based on the DSPE Act, 1946.
  • Post-2014 Process: Lokpal Act provided a committee for appointment of CBI Director
    • Appointment committee:
      • Prime Minister (Head).
      • Leader of Opposition/Leader of the single largest opposition party in Lok Sabha.
      • Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge.
    • Process:
      • The Ministry of Home Affairs sends a list of eligible candidates to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
      • DoPT prepares the final list based on seniority, integrity, and experience in anti-corruption cases, and submits it to the committee.
• Tenure of CBI Director:
  • CVC Act, 2003: Fixed tenure of 2 years.
  • Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Act, 2021:
    • Allows extension of tenure up to 5 years, with the following conditions:
      • Extensions granted one year at a time.
      • No extension permitted beyond a total of 5 years (including the initial 2-year term).