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.

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.