Mumbai, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has secured the deportation of Sandeep Mistry, a key accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud linked to fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following coordinated efforts with Indian and UAE authorities.
Mistry, who was facing an Interpol Red Notice, was brought to Mumbai on September 28 and taken into custody by CBI officials upon arrival. He was subsequently produced before a competent court, which remanded him to judicial custody.
The deportation was facilitated through coordination between the CBI, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Mistry is wanted in a case being investigated by the CBI’s Bank Securities and Fraud Branch (BSFB), Mumbai, over his alleged involvement in fraudulent international trade transactions carried out through shell entities.
According to the CBI, Mistry allegedly served as a key link between several entities involved in the fraud, overseeing their day-to-day operations and issuing instructions through clandestine, self-deleting communication platforms to evade detection and destroy evidence.
Investigators have alleged that he facilitated the preparation of forged import-export documents to create the appearance of fictitious trade in diamonds, gold and pearl jewellery.
The agency has also accused Mistry of conspiring with others to intimidate dummy directors of foreign companies. He allegedly threatened them with arrest, arranged for their relocation, confiscated their electronic devices and forced them to sign documents falsely portraying themselves as legitimate owners of the companies.
The CBI further alleged that Mistry was involved in siphoning off funds from bank accounts belonging to dummy companies based in the UAE. A charge sheet in the case has already been filed before the competent court.
At the CBI’s request, Interpol issued a Red Notice against Mistry in July 2026. UAE authorities subsequently traced and arrested him, initiating deportation proceedings that led to his return to India within approximately two months of the notice being issued.
The CBI described the operation as an example of international cooperation between Indian and UAE law enforcement authorities in tracking and bringing back wanted fugitives.
The agency, which serves as India’s National Central Bureau for Interpol, coordinates international police cooperation with domestic law enforcement agencies through BHARATPOL. According to the CBI, more than 175 wanted fugitives have been brought back to India in recent years through coordinated efforts involving Interpol channels.
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