AI-powered rail Robocop helps cops arrest habitual offenders in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: The AI-powered Facial Recognition System (FRS) of Rail Robocop "ASC Arjun" helped the cops arrest two habitual offenders late on Monday night. The robocop was deployed for surveillance and patrolling at night and detected a suspect by matching a facial image with the preloaded database of known criminals. The system immediately alerted the RPF CCTV Control Room at the railway station.Upon receipt of the alert, the on-duty CCTV staff head constable BS Narayana analysed the live CCTV feed and informed the on-duty officer sub-inspector V Keerthi Reddy, along with the Crime Prevention Detention Squad (CPDS) team of Waltair Division, who were present at the station. The team conducted a coordinated check and apprehended a habitual offender, Hadapa Shiva (39), and his associate, G Bhangaru. They were detected at the entry stage itself by the AI-enabled Facial Recognition System of Rail Robocop.Verification of their antecedents revealed that both persons are hardcore habitual offenders with extensive criminal histories registered at Rayagada Police Station, involving multiple serious offences such as theft, robbery, dacoity, assault, and arms-related cases over several years. Cops informed the Rayagada Police for further necessary action.The Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra said that it clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of AI-powered surveillance and facial recognition technology in enhancing railway security and proactively preventing crime, thereby ensuring safer travel for passengers.