Bengaluru, November 13, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an absconding accused in a 2021 human trafficking case involving Sri Lankan nationals who were allegedly lured with false promises of being sent to Canada with valid travel documents.
The accused, identified as Pudumadam Imran, was taken into custody at Bengaluru International Airport after being repatriated from Sri Lanka, where he had been detained by local authorities on the basis of an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the NIA’s request.
According to the agency, Imran was part of a conspiracy to traffic victims from Sri Lanka by promising to facilitate their travel to Canada. He allegedly collected money from the victims’ family members and relatives and transferred the funds through hawala channels to co-accused persons in India to facilitate the trafficking and confinement of the victims.
The case originated after local police conducted raids at premises in Mangaluru following information that Sri Lankan nationals were staying in the country without valid documents. A case was initially registered under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.
The NIA subsequently took over the investigation and re-registered the case on July 13, 2021, invoking Sections 120B, 370 and 420 of the IPC, Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and Section 12(1A) of the Passport Act.
The agency said Imran had remained absconding until his detention in Sri Lanka and subsequent repatriation to India.
Two other accused who had been absconding in the case, Seeni Aabul Khan and Imran Khan, were arrested in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Both are currently facing trial before the Special Court for NIA cases in Bengaluru.
The NIA said its investigation into the wider conspiracy and the alleged network involved in trafficking Sri Lankan nationals through India on the pretext of arranging their travel to Canada is continuing.
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