Why in news?
In December 2025 the Goa police sought Interpol’s help to track owners of a night club wanted in a human‑trafficking case. Media reports mentioned that Interpol had issued a Blue Corner Notice, prompting questions about what such notices entail and how they differ from arrest warrants.
Background
Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, facilitates cooperation among 195 countries. It issues colour‑coded notices to share information about criminals, missing persons and security threats. National police agencies request these notices, but enforcement remains within domestic jurisdiction – Interpol itself cannot arrest anyone.
Types of notices
- Red Notice: Requests the location and provisional arrest of wanted persons with a view to extradition. It is the closest instrument to an international arrest warrant but lacks legal binding force.
- Blue Notice: Seeks to collect additional information on a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a crime. It is used when an individual’s whereabouts are unknown or when police require more data before moving to arrest.
- Yellow Notice: Helps locate missing persons, especially minors, or identify people who cannot identify themselves.
- Black Notice: Distributes information about unidentified bodies to assist in identifying them.
- Other notices: Green notices warn about criminals likely to repeat offences; orange notices alert authorities to serious threats such as explosives or disguised weapons; purple notices seek information on modus operandi; and Interpol also circulates United Nations Security Council special notices.
How a Blue Notice works
- Police in a member country request a Blue Notice when they need help confirming a suspect’s identity or tracing their movements.
- Interpol circulates the notice to all member countries via its secure I‑24/7 network. Law‑enforcement agencies can then provide information on sightings, border crossings or other relevant data.
- The notice does not compel countries to detain the individual; it merely enhances international cooperation and information‑sharing.
Source: ET
