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Bengal’s first: Bangaon police launch app to file complaints, check case updates

Complainants can also make video calls to investigating officer; kiosks installed for real-time updates.

police bandhu, west bengal, bangaon,The initiative draws on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project, the national platform for digitising police records, but officers stressed that ‘Police Bandhu’ stands out for its ease of use. (Express photo)

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in West Bengal, the Bangaon Police district has launched a mobile application that allows people to file complaints and track case progress as well as connect with the investigating officer via video call.

The initiative, named ‘Police Bandhu’, aims to reduce repeated visits to police stations, officials said.

Bangaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Dinesh Kumar said, “If the residents of Bangaon police district want to file a complaint, they will not have to visit a police station. The app enables the complainant to talk to the investigating officers via video call, creating a direct line of communication.”

Also, kiosks have been installed at some locations in the police district, offering real-time case updates.

“People can now check the live status of their investigation instantly by simply entering their registered mobile number in a quick, easy and transparent manner,” added SP Kumar.

They can also connect with senior officers through video conferencing at the kiosk, he said.

While several states, including Kerala and Karnataka, have citizen-service police apps, officials said the Bangaon initiative is the first in Bengal, and possibly across India, to provide live investigation updates and video interaction with investigating officers.

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A retired senior police official said, “It is a big leap forward in making the police more accountable and transparent to the public and, if executed well, may put an end to the days of waiting and uncertainty.”

The initiative draws on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project, the national platform for digitising police records, but officials stressed that the ‘Police Bandhu’ stands out for its ease of use.

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Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More

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