Gandhinagar: In a significant leap towards tech-driven policing, Gujarat Police has rolled out an advanced artificial intelligence-powered system to tackle narcotics cases, aiming to plug long-standing procedural gaps that often weaken prosecutions and allow offenders to walk free.
Launched in Gandhinagar, the tool - named NARIT AI (Narcotics Analysis and RAG-based Investigation Tool) - is being touted as the first-of-its-kind AI system deployed by any state police force in India for handling cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Built on Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) technology, the application functions as a digital legal assistant for investigating officers. By analysing First Information Reports (FIRs), it generates detailed case assessments, highlighting strengths and weaknesses while recommending legal strategies and procedural steps to strengthen prosecution.
Officials say the tool integrates a vast repository of legal provisions, High Court and Supreme Court judgments, and investigation protocols into a single platform. This enables real-time guidance on compliance, evidence collection, and case-building—areas where even minor lapses have historically led to acquittals despite strong evidence.
What sets NARIT AI apart is its ability not just to analyse cases but also to anticipate courtroom scenarios. The system can predict potential defence arguments and suggest rebuttals based on past judicial precedents, helping prosecutors prepare more robust cases.
Developed by the Western Railway Police in Vadodara in collaboration with a Mumbai-based AI startup, the tool is designed as a “force multiplier.” It reduces dependence on specialised investigators by enabling officers across ranks to conduct legally sound and procedurally compliant investigations.
Importantly, the system operates on a closed, verified legal database rather than the open internet, minimising the risk of inaccurate outputs or “hallucinations” often associated with AI tools.
The initiative aligns with Gujarat’s zero-tolerance policy against drug-related offences, with Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi underscoring the government’s commitment to dismantling narcotics networks through the use of cutting-edge technology.
By bridging investigative gaps and ensuring procedural precision, NARIT AI is expected to significantly improve conviction rates in NDPS cases, marking a transformative moment in the intersection of artificial intelligence and criminal justice in India.
BI Bureau
