CBI Hosts Comprehensive Two-Day Workshop for Indian Law Enforcement Agencies on INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions Compliance
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In a major step toward enhancing international collaboration in criminal justice, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in partnership with INTERPOL’s Notice & Diffusion Task Force (NDTF), successfully hosted a two-day workshop on the compliance of INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions. The event took place at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi on March 24th and 25th, 2025, and brought together a broad spectrum of law enforcement officials from across India to strengthen their understanding of INTERPOL’s processes and legal framework.
The primary focus of the workshop was to provide a comprehensive understanding of INTERPOL’s colour-coded notices system and its review mechanisms, which play a crucial role in international law enforcement cooperation. These notices—critical tools for tracking fugitives, extradition, and global policing efforts—are issued by INTERPOL at the request of member countries and must comply with strict legal guidelines before they are published.
Enhancing Legal and Operational Cooperation
The event saw the participation of over 120 officers from key Indian law enforcement agencies, including the CBI, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Delhi Police, and the Women’s and Children’s Crime Bureau (WCCB). Police officers from various States and Union Territories of India also took part, while representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) were also in attendance.
A key session of the workshop delved into the legal complexities of the INTERPOL notice system, with discussions led by legal experts including Public Prosecutors, Deputy Legal Advisors, and Judges from the Delhi Judicial Academy. Participants received a deep dive into compliance requirements and the constitutional framework that governs INTERPOL notices, ensuring that Indian law enforcement agencies can effectively navigate the legal landscape when dealing with international requests.
International Cooperation and the Role of the BHARATPOL Portal
One of the significant highlights of the workshop was the discussion on improving international cooperation through INTERPOL channels. Participants were briefed on how Indian law enforcement agencies can request international assistance from foreign countries through INTERPOL, and how incoming requests can be effectively processed and executed by Indian agencies.
In this context, the importance of the newly launched BHARATPOL Portal was underscored. This portal serves as a crucial tool for Indian law enforcement agencies to communicate and send requests to the National Central Bureau (NCB) in New Delhi, which coordinates with INTERPOL member countries for police cooperation. The workshop emphasized the need for all agencies to make use of this portal to streamline international cooperation in criminal cases.
Strengthening the Compliance Mechanism
Throughout the two-day event, extensive discussions were held on the compliance mechanisms associated with drafting and issuing INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions. Participants were given valuable insights into the legal and operational processes that must be followed to ensure the proper execution of international requests. A series of case studies were presented, offering real-world scenarios to help participants better understand the complexities involved in handling INTERPOL notices.
CBI’s Role as India’s INTERPOL Liaison
As the National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL in India, the CBI plays a central role in coordinating international police cooperation. The agency works closely with various Indian law enforcement bodies, ensuring that requests for international cooperation are processed smoothly through designated INTERPOL Liaison Officers (ILOs). These ILOs, positioned within key law enforcement agencies such as the CBI, NIA, and state police departments, act as the bridge between India’s police forces and INTERPOL.
The workshop also highlighted the vital role of Unit Officers (UOs), typically representing the offices of Superintendents of Police or Commissioners of Police, who work alongside the ILOs to ensure that international criminal matters are addressed efficiently.
A Step Toward Strengthening Global Policing Efforts
The two-day workshop underscores the importance of the INTERPOL Notices system in fostering global policing and international criminal justice collaboration. As criminals increasingly operate across borders, ensuring seamless communication and cooperation between law enforcement agencies worldwide is more critical than ever. The CBI’s initiative to host this workshop exemplifies India’s commitment to strengthening international ties in the fight against crime, enhancing its ability to respond to global criminal threats, and ensuring that India is fully aligned with INTERPOL’s mandates and legal framework.
By enhancing the skills and knowledge of its law enforcement agencies, the CBI is taking a significant step towards making international criminal justice cooperation more effective and efficient, thus contributing to a safer world.
