India has brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2019 and July 2026 as part of an intensified crackdown on offenders evading justice abroad, the government said on Monday. The Centre said the effort has been driven by stronger legal provisions, enhanced international cooperation, and technology-led investigations.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the government’s strategy against fugitive offenders has focused on three key pillars—global operations, robust inter-agency coordination, and smart diplomacy. The government said the issue of fugitive criminals is closely linked to national security, economic stability, law and order, and the country’s sovereignty.
The ministry said the legal framework for pursuing fugitives has been strengthened through the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, amendments to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019, and provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which allow trials in absentia under Sections 355 and 356.
To improve international coordination, the government launched BHARATPOL in January 2025, integrating over 1,400 state and central law enforcement units with INTERPOL. The platform has significantly reduced the time required for information sharing, with responses now being received within 3 to 10 days in some cases, the ministry said.
The government also highlighted a sharp rise in the use of INTERPOL Red Corner Notices. While 40 notices were issued in 2022, the number increased to 100 in 2023, 107 in 2024, 112 in 2025, and 182 notices have already been issued in 2026 so far. Over the past three years, Red Corner Notices have been issued against 401 fugitive criminals.
The Ministry said advanced technology has played a key role in tracing absconders through Operation Trishul, which uses satellite inputs, surveillance, digital footprints and profile mapping to identify fugitives who changed their identities while hiding abroad. Video conferencing has also been used to expedite extradition proceedings.
On the financial front, the government said assets worth ₹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 amounting to ₹18,762 crore was carried out, including recoveries from economic offenders who had fled the country.
The fugitives brought back to India include those wanted in cases related to terrorism, organised crime, financial fraud, narcotics trafficking, murder, rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Among the notable extraditions cited by the government is that of Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States.
The ministry said the success of the extradition efforts has been made possible through coordinated action involving 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. It also noted that a Standing Focus Group under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) was established in January 2026 to strengthen India’s fugitive management framework.
