Nagpur city, the second capital of Maharashtra, has taken a big stride in cyber monitoring and security with the launch of Garuda Drishti, an AI-based social media monitoring and intelligence tool indigenously developed by the Nagpur Police Cyber Crime Branch. The integration of this tool marked the state police’s increased access to world-class systems and technology to curb Internet and social media-related crimes, including identifying and taking swift action against anti-social elements who incite communal hatred online. The launch ceremony also saw the distribution of Rs 10 crore recovered from various cyber financial crimes to the actual victims by the Home Minister and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
During the presentation of the ‘Garuda Drishti’ cyber intelligence & social media monitoring tool, the Chief Minister explained how social media was being misused. He said that in the name of freedom of expression, some people were spreading hatred in society. How circulating fake news and rumors has increased to an alarming level, creating tension, swindling people, and smuggling illegal drugs through social media. Many forms of cybercrime were being committed through foreign networks. The Garuda Drishti model, developed indigenously under the Nagpur Police at a very low cost, will provide effective solutions to all these types of cybercrimes.
Cheques distributed to victims of cybercrime for their recovered amount
The presentation ceremony of the Garuda Drishti Project was followed by cybercrime victims’ compensation through the distribution of Rs 10 crore recovered by the cybercrime branch to the people from whom this amount was swindled by the cybercriminals. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis distributed cheques to the victim in person or to their representatives. Some of the names who received money are Rohit Agarwal (Rs 73,00,000), Shashikant Parande (Rs 34,77,724), Devidas Parkhi (Rs 35,15,842), Vijay Pathak (Rs 19,90,354), Vijay Meghani (Rs 19,00,000), Devendra Kharate (Rs 12,81,000), Rajmani Joshi (Rs 29,95,000), Rahul Chavda (Rs 15,00,000), Budhpal Bagde (Rs 10,00,000), and Aditya Goenka (Rs 26,20,566). On this occasion, the Chief Minister, praising the efficiency and promptness of Nagpur Police, instilled confidence in the citizens that if the fraudulence is reported in time and the police take immediate action, then recovery of the amount is possible. Also, he appealed to the citizens not to immediately trust any suspicious phone call, message, or online offer. If you are a victim of fraud, contact the helpline number 1930 or 1945.
Garuda Drishti model will be implemented across the state
Over 30,000 social media posts were checked through the Garuda Drishti tool since its inception, of which 650 objectionable posts were identified and removed. People were booked under the appropriate section of law whose posts fueled tension, riots, etc. in the society. Armed with the Garuda Drishti tool, the police have been successful in preempting possible law and order situations on many occasions. It’s important to note here that the Garuda Drishti cyber intelligence and social media monitoring tool, demonstrated in the ‘Cyber Hack 2025’ competition, is a completely homegrown system, developed under the Nagpur Police. All rights, control and intellectual property rights of this tool are with Nagpur Police. This tool, developed at a minimal cost, works 24×7 monitoring social media, analyzing social media trends, identifying suspicious accounts, and enabling swift action. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the use of Garuda Drishti in other districts as well.
He also congratulated the victims of cyber fraud on getting their money back and urged them to act as ‘ambassadors’ of the police to create awareness about cyber security in the society. Stressing that no matter how advanced cybercrimes can become, there will always be some digital evidence behind every crime, he said Maharashtra Police was keeping a hawk eye on cybercrimes and the criminals. The introduction of Garuda Drishti will fortify the police department in monitoring criminal activities on social media and tracking down the criminals with evidence to help their conviction in court. Under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis, the fight against cybercrimes in Maharashtra has intensified.
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