India’s Narendra Modi government has brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries since 2019 through what it describes as an integrated, intelligence-led and technology-driven strategy, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government’s crackdown on fugitives has been strengthened through new criminal laws, enhanced international cooperation and the launch of the BHARATPOL portal, enabling Indian agencies to pursue absconding offenders across the world.
“The Modi government has launched integrated, intelligence-led, and technology-driven operations, hounding fugitives in foreign lands,” Shah said.
“The provision for trial in absentia under the three new laws has empowered the justice system to initiate proceedings against absconding criminals.”
Shah added that the stringent enforcement of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had resulted in the attachment of assets worth ₹17,874 crore (about A$3.98 billion) and restitution of ₹18,762 crore (about A$4.18 billion), while BHARATPOL had created a seamless international coordination framework.
According to the Indian government, the campaign has targeted fugitives accused of terrorism, organised crime, financial offences, narcotics trafficking, murder, rape, child sexual abuse offences, cybercrime and human trafficking.
The government said implementation of the three new criminal laws in 2024 introduced, for the first time, provisions allowing trial in absentia under Sections 355 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), enabling court proceedings to continue even when accused persons remain overseas.
The BHARATPOL portal, launched by Amit Shah in January 2025 and developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), links more than 1,400 state and central law enforcement units directly with Interpol’s global network spanning 195 countries.
Officials said the system has reduced international information-sharing times from several weeks to as little as three to ten days in some cases.
The government also highlighted increased use of technology under Operation Trishul, which employs satellite imagery, digital footprints and profile mapping to locate fugitives who allegedly changed identities while hiding overseas.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said India has significantly expanded its use of Interpol Red Corner Notices, issuing 401 notices over the past three years, including 182 notices already issued during 2026.
The government also cited the establishment of a Special Global Operations Centre within the CBI to coordinate with international police agencies in real time.
According to official figures, the number of fugitives returned has steadily increased from nine in 2019 to 70 in 2025, with another 45 returned during the first seven months of 2026.
The government said those extradited include individuals accused of terrorism, pro-Khalistan extremism, organised crime, financial fraud, narcotics trafficking, murder and sexual offences.
It cited the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States as one of the most significant outcomes of India’s strengthened international legal and diplomatic efforts.
The Home Ministry claimed previous governments lacked the political will to pursue fugitives aggressively, noting that before 2014 India secured an average of only four extraditions annually while more than 110 extradition requests remained pending.
Officials said India’s approach now combines the efforts of the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, National Investigation Agency, Enforcement Directorate, Research and Analysis Wing, Ministry of External Affairs, Narcotics Control Bureau, state police forces and other agencies under what the government describes as a “whole-of-government” strategy.
The ministry added that a Standing Focus Group established under the Intelligence Bureau’s Multi Agency Centre in January 2026 now coordinates national efforts to prioritise cases, standardise extradition requests and improve international follow-up involving fugitive offenders.
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