What New Digital Portals Has Gujarat Launched to Improve Police Services?

Gandhinagar, May 14 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, unveiled two innovative digital portals along with a mobile application under the Home Department, aimed at boosting transparency, efficiency, and accessibility within the state's law enforcement system.

Present at the launch was Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi.

These initiatives, implemented across the state, are structured to simplify police procedures and enable citizens to access essential services online, significantly reducing the necessity for physical visits to police stations.

Notably, the event featured the introduction of the Cyber Crime Refund Portal, dubbed “Tera Tujhko Arpan”, which expedites monetary refunds for victims of cyber fraud.

Initially launched in Ahmedabad in October 2024 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, this portal has made a substantial impact by halving the backlog of applications and enhancing processing speed by 50 percent.

Developed by the Ahmedabad City Cyber Crime Cell, this system allows for online registration, real-time status checks, and refunds without requiring an FIR. Lok Adalats play an essential role in expediting the refund process.

What used to take two to three hours at a police station can now be completed in just 15 minutes, thanks to automated refund letters and digital records. Following its successful pilot in Ahmedabad, the portal has been made available at all police stations in Gujarat, complete with unique login credentials and comprehensive pre-launch training to ensure a seamless rollout.

The Chief Minister also introduced I-PRAGATI, a new SMS-based system integrated with the existing eGujCop portal. This system provides automated updates to complainants at four critical stages of the investigation process: FIR filing, panchnama, arrest of the suspect, and charge sheet submission.

Initially piloted by the State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB), I-PRAGATI is now operational statewide. This system not only improves transparency but also addresses a prevalent concern among citizens: the lack of timely updates.

“This initiative reflects our dedication to good governance and minimizing human intervention,” stated CM Patel, underscoring the state’s commitment to digital transformation in policing.

Another significant development is the Unfreeze Application, which enables citizens to digitally request the unblocking of bank accounts frozen due to cybercrime complaints lodged via the NCRP portal under BNSS 106 (CRPC 102).

With this application, users can submit requests online, monitor their progress, and receive email notifications, thus eliminating the need for physical follow-ups or visits to police stations.

This tool aims to empower citizens, minimize procedural delays, and guarantee full transparency in the post-incident resolution process. Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister highlighted that the integration of digital tools in law enforcement showcases the use of technology for both citizen welfare and national security.

Minister Harsh Sanghvi emphasized that Gujarat is becoming a model state for citizen-centric policing, especially in the area of cybercrime.

“Gujarat Police has successfully processed over 2.25 lakh requests for unfreezing bank accounts. These platforms ensure that victims are not only acknowledged but also assisted, swiftly and systematically,” he remarked.