New Delhi, Dec 27 (PTI) Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Tuesday said requests from other countries for legal assistance in criminal matters should be treated on priority as part of reciprocity.

Bhalla inaugurated a workshop of Interpol Liaison Officers on Letter Rogatory (LR), Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) and Extradition matters organised by the CBI here.

Also Read | Mumbai Shocker: Man Steals 40 Specially Trained Messenger Pigeons From Kurla, Sells Them at Exorbitant Rates; Arrested.

He said the Home Ministry has designed a new online portal on MLAT/LR requests which can be utilised for the purpose and assured further assistance, if needed.

Bhalla underlined the need for further training to officials of law enforcement agencies in the country for investigating crimes having transnational footprints.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu Shocker: Taekwondo Coach Arrested for Sexual Abuse of Minor Girls in Perambalur.

He emphasised the need to further impart training on LR and MLAT to personnel in the law enforcement chain and offered all assistance in this regard including organising workshops and conferences in states, according to a statement from the CBI.

"The Union Home Secretary further stressed that the request from other countries for legal assistance should also be treated on priority as part of reciprocity. He invited feedback and practical suggestions towards improving the efficacy of international cooperation channels for assistance in criminal matters," it said.

He also said that law enforcement agencies should make use of informal channels of police cooperation for seeking and sharing information on I-24/7 platform of Interpol through CBI.

The one-day workshop also focussed on utilising Interpol notices and drafting requests focusing on crime.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)