Mumbai: In response to the rising number of cybercrimes in Mumbai, the city police have been equipped with three new Nirbhaya Cyber Labs at D.B. Marg, Worli, and Govandi police stations. The labs were officially inaugurated on Monday by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
According to Mumbai Police, the Nirbhaya Cyber Labs are outfitted with cutting-edge forensic tools aimed at enhancing investigations. Two advanced software systems have been installed for detailed analysis of audio and video evidence, while five specialized software tools will aid in the thorough scrutiny of images. These tools will help investigators identify voices, analyze video footage, and inspect images with high precision during cybercrime investigations.
People-Friendly Facilities Set Up at All Police Stations in Mumbai
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In addition, the cyber labs are equipped with data extraction capabilities, allowing detailed and efficient analysis of Call Detail Records (CDRs) and Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDRs). DCP of the Mumbai Cyber Cell, Datta Nalawade, stated that each lab has 30 workstations manned by specially trained police personnel. These cyber labs have been established under the Nirbhaya Scheme and are expected to significantly enhance the department’s ability to tackle cybercrimes and bring offenders to justice.
“Cybercrime and the arrest of cybercriminals will be among the biggest challenges in the near future, and the Mumbai Police is well-prepared to meet them,” said Chief Minister Fadnavis. He added that all police stations in Mumbai have been upgraded with citizen-friendly and women-centric amenities, making the force more approachable and public-focused.
The CM was speaking at the inauguration of various initiatives undertaken by the Mumbai Police, held at the Utkarsh Hall of the Azad Maidan Police Station. Highlighting Maharashtra’s leadership in cybercrime prevention, Fadnavis said that the Mumbai Police recently prevented a fraud amounting to ₹12 crore in a cybercrime case. To meet future challenges, three state-of-the-art cyber labs have been established and were inaugurated during the event.
The CM noted that even educated individuals are falling victim to digital scams like “digital arrests,” stressing the need for digital literacy and mass awareness.
He also lauded actor Ayushmann Khurrana and producer Sahit Krishnan for supporting the police’s public awareness campaigns. Fadnavis emphasized the importance of the new criminal laws introduced by the central government, calling them truly “Indian” in essence. These laws, especially those concerning crime registration and evidence collection, will enhance crime control. For the first time, the legal framework allows the use of technology in investigations.
Noting the rise in reported crimes against women, he said this is a positive development, indicating that women now feel more empowered to file complaints. To support this, women and child assistance desks have been established at every police station to ensure a pressure-free and secure environment for female complainants. The CM praised the new building of the Park Site Police Station and the revamped historic Utkarsh Hall at Azad Maidan Police Station.
He also highlighted that under the state’s 100-day program, Mumbai Police has performed excellently and set an example of transformation. Instead of creating separate women’s police stations, women officers and personnel have been deployed at every station, making the system more inclusive.
The event began with the CM and Minister of State for Home Affairs, Yogesh Kadam, flagging off new police motorcycles, interceptor vehicles, forensic lab vans, and Nirbhaya squad vans. CM Fadnavis also inaugurated:
The renovated Utkarsh Hall at Azad Maidan
The new Park Site Police Station building
Women and Child Help Desks at 87 police stations
Video conferencing systems at 216 stations and DCP offices
The Mumbai Police’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle
The ‘Mission Karmyogi’ information booklet and training initiative
During the event, CM Fadnavis interacted with officers at the Park Site station to understand their views on the new facilities and extended best wishes to the Mumbai Police for their continued public-centric approach. Present at the event were MoS for Home Yogesh Kadam, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Iqbal Singh Chahal, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Joint CP Deven Bharti, and a large number of officers and personnel from the Mumbai Police.
