New Delhi, August 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India has brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2019 and July 2026 as part of a government drive to ensure that offenders hiding abroad are brought before the law, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Tuesday.
The Centre said the achievement was driven by stronger legal mechanisms, improved international cooperation, coordination among multiple agencies and technology-based investigations.
The Ministry said the government’s approach towards dealing with fugitive offenders has focused on three key areas — global outreach, stronger coordination and strategic diplomacy.
The MHA said the legal framework for pursuing absconding offenders has been strengthened through measures including the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, amendments to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019, along with provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that allow trials in absentia under Sections 355 and 356.
To improve international coordination, the government launched BHARATPOL in January 2025, an integrated platform connecting more than 1,400 state and central law enforcement agencies with INTERPOL.
According to the MHA, the platform has reduced the time required for information exchange, with responses in some cases being received within three to 10 days.
The government also highlighted a rise in the issuance of INTERPOL Red Corner Notices against wanted fugitives. The number of such notices increased from 40 in 2022 to 100 in 2023, 107 in 2024 and 112 in 2025. In 2026, the figure has already reached 182 so far.
Overall, 401 fugitive criminals have been placed under Red Corner Notices during the last three years, the Ministry said.
The MHA said technology has played a major role in locating absconders through “Operation Trishul”, which uses satellite inputs, surveillance systems, digital footprints and profile mapping to track fugitives who attempt to hide by changing identities abroad.
The government added that video conferencing facilities have also been used to speed up extradition proceedings.
On financial enforcement, the Ministry said assets and properties worth Rs 17,874 crore belonging to fugitive criminals were attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) between 2019 and 2026.
During the same period, restitution worth Rs 762 crore was carried out, including recoveries connected with economic offenders who had fled the country.
The Centre said the fugitives brought back to India were wanted in cases related to terrorism, organised crime, financial fraud, narcotics trafficking, murder, rape and offences registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Ministry said the campaign covers cases involving terrorism, pro-Khalistan extremism, gangster-terror networks, narcotics trafficking, cyber fraud and fake currency. It cited the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States as an example of India’s sustained legal and diplomatic efforts in pursuing complex terror-related cases.
The MHA further stated that foreign-based fugitives in Jammu and Kashmir have often been linked with efforts to support terrorism, narco-terrorism and cross-border networks.
The extradition drive has involved coordination among agencies including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) and state police forces.
The Ministry also said a Standing Focus Group under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) was established in January 2026 to strengthen India’s fugitive management system and improve coordination among agencies involved in tracking and extraditing offenders.
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