Why in news?

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the statewide rollout of MahaCrimeOS AI, an advanced AI-driven investigation platform for the Maharashtra Police.

Developed in partnership with the Maharashtra Government and its AI policing initiative MARVEL, the platform will equip all 1,100 police stations with next-generation cybercrime tools.

The initiative marks a shift beyond traditional policing, reflecting how law enforcement and the judiciary are embracing AI as a transformative force to enhance investigation, vigilance, and justice delivery.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• MahaCrimeOS AI: Transforming Crime Investigation in Maharashtra
• MARVEL: Maharashtra’s AI Vision for Policing
• From CrimeOS to MahaCrimeOS AI
• Benefits of MahaCrimeOS AI
• Key Features of MahaCrimeOS AI
• Supporting Faster Investigations Under New Criminal Laws

MahaCrimeOS AI: Transforming Crime Investigation in Maharashtra

• MahaCrimeOS AI is an AI-powered crime investigation platform developed using Microsoft Foundry.
• First deployed in Nagpur Rural in April 2025, it helps police process complaints faster, analyse complex data, and streamline investigative procedures—especially in cybercrime cases.
• Recognising its effectiveness, the Maharashtra government and Microsoft announced recently that the platform will be rolled out across all 1,100 police stations in the state.

MARVEL: Maharashtra’s AI Vision for Policing

• MARVEL (Maharashtra Research and Vigilance for Enhanced Law Enforcement) is a government-owned AI initiative created to integrate advanced technologies into policing.
• Established in 2024 as a special-purpose vehicle (SPV), MARVEL aims to modernise investigations, strengthen police intelligence, and improve crime prediction.
• Maharashtra is the first Indian state to set up an independent AI body dedicated to law enforcement.

From CrimeOS to MahaCrimeOS AI

• Working with Microsoft, MARVEL adapted CrimeOS AI—developed by CyberEye, a Microsoft AI partner—into MahaCrimeOS AI, fine-tuned to comply with Maharashtra’s investigation protocols.
• The system was also configured in Marathi to ensure easy adoption across the police force.
• An MoU between the Maharashtra government and Microsoft includes setting up three AI Centres of Excellence.
• Advanced Capabilities of MahaCrimeOS AI
  • MahaCrimeOS AI can ingest complaints in multiple formats, including PDFs, audio files, handwritten notes, and images.
  • Using multimodal intelligence, it extracts key information in any language, automates analysis, adapts investigation pathways, and rapidly profiles persons of interest, significantly enhancing investigative efficiency.
• Transforming Governance Through AI
  • MARVEL’s goal is to collaborate with global technology leaders to build AI copilots that fundamentally transform governance.
  • The initiative positions Maharashtra as a national leader in AI-driven, future-ready policing.

Benefits of MahaCrimeOS AI

• MahaCrimeOS AI automates routine administrative tasks, allowing investigating officers to focus more on solving crimes and assisting victims.
• Officers access a dashboard showing active cases, updates, and pending actions, improving case management and efficiency.
• In one case involving a ₹38 lakh bank fraud, the system helped analyse telecom data and open-source intelligence to trace and arrest accused across multiple states.
• AI-Generated Investigation Plans
  • A key feature of MahaCrimeOS AI is its ability to read FIRs in Marathi and automatically generate detailed investigation plans.
  • These are based on Maharashtra Police protocols and guidelines issued by the High Court and Supreme Court for different crime categories.
• Investigation Copilot for Faster Decision-Making
  • Developed with CyberEye and Microsoft, the AI-powered investigation copilot analyses case details, creates automated workflows, and suggests investigation pathways.
  • This reduces delays that earlier arose when officers waited for senior approvals in complex cases.
• Advanced Data Analysis and Court Readiness
  • The platform analyses telecom data to identify interlinkages, gathers open-source intelligence by tracing phone numbers across digital platforms, and prepares time-stamped, date-wise case diaries for court submissions, embedding judicial best practices into investigations.
• Improved Experience for Complainants
  • By speeding up investigations and reducing bottlenecks, MahaCrimeOS AI delivers quicker, more consistent outcomes for complainants.
  • Faster response times and smoother case handling enhance public trust and improve overall access to justice.

Key Features of MahaCrimeOS AI

• MahaCrimeOS AI has been designed primarily in Marathi, ensuring that even constables can use it with ease.
• Tasks such as drafting letters to banks and telecom companies, which earlier took 30–45 minutes, are now completed in seconds.
• The system can also directly email these documents, significantly cutting investigation time and administrative delays.
• The platform democratises advanced investigative capabilities.
  • Previously limited to specialised cybercrime officers, open-source intelligence and data analysis can now be performed by all 3,000 officers in Nagpur Rural, eliminating dependence on a small expert pool.
• Handling Complex Crime Categories
  • The system currently supports investigations in four complex crime areas: narcotics, cybercrime, crimes against women, and financial fraud.
  • Additional AI models are being developed to extend its application to other types of crimes.
• Tailored, Protocol-Based Investigations
  • A key strength of MahaCrimeOS AI is its ability to incorporate best-practice protocols, apply crime-specific knowledge, and generate customised investigation plans, enabling more precise and efficient law enforcement outcomes.

Supporting Faster Investigations Under New Criminal Laws

• With the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita mandating charge sheets within 60–90 days, police officers handling multiple cases face tight deadlines.
• MahaCrimeOS AI enables faster, structured investigations, helping officers meet legal timelines and adapt effectively to the new criminal law framework.