In a significant boost to Mumbai’s cybersecurity infrastructure, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday inaugurated three Nirbhaya Cyber Labs at D.B. Marg, Worli, and Govandi police stations. Speaking at the event held at D.B. Marg Police Station, Fadnavis emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the cyber lab network to curb the growing threat of cybercrime.

The Chief Minister also virtually launched several new initiatives by Mumbai Police, including advanced forensic vans, high-tech motorcycles, and the newly built Park Site Police Station. He highlighted the integration of globally advanced technology in these cyber labs, which will enhance capabilities to tackle complex cyber threats such as financial fraud, online scams, and bank account hacking.

“These state-of-the-art labs will revolutionize cybercrime investigations,” Fadnavis stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding that the labs are equipped to handle cases involving crimes against women, data tampering, and hacking. Each lab includes 30 workstations manned by specially trained personnel, and advanced software tools for analyzing audio, video, and image evidence. The labs also feature robust data extraction systems to examine call and internet protocol records with precision.

Established under the Nirbhaya Scheme, the cyber labs are designed to bolster investigations into cyber offenses and support swift, evidence-backed justice. Mumbai Police officials noted that these facilities will significantly aid in the recovery of deleted data from digital devices, thanks to the deployment of advanced forensic tools.

During the event, Fadnavis also flagged off Nirbhaya squad vans, interceptor vehicles, and forensic vans alongside Minister of State for Home Affairs Yogesh Kadam. The CM lauded the Mumbai Police’s performance under the state’s 100-day transformation program and emphasized the importance of citizen-friendly policing and women-centric reforms.

All 87 police stations in the city now have Women and Child Help Desks, video conferencing facilities have been set up at 216 locations, and the historic Utkarsh Hall at Azad Maidan Police Station has been renovated. Fadnavis also inaugurated the Mumbai Police’s official handle on X and launched the ‘Mission Karmyogi’ training booklet to promote ongoing professional development.

Calling digital literacy a priority, Fadnavis warned of the rising threat of digital scams—even among educated individuals—and advocated for widespread awareness campaigns. He acknowledged actor Ayushmann Khurrana and producer Sahit Krishnan for their contribution to public outreach initiatives.

The Chief Minister also praised recent legal reforms that enable greater use of technology in investigations and emphasized that the rise in reported crimes against women indicates growing confidence among female victims to come forward. He reiterated the government’s resolve to expand the cyber lab network statewide and build a more inclusive and responsive law enforcement system.

Present at the event were top officials, including Additional Chief Secretary of Home Iqbal Singh Chahal, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Joint CP Deven Bharti, and several senior officers.