India's Fugitive Extradition Achievements 2021-2026
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, India successfully extradited 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2021 and 2026. This represents a significant increase from the pre-2014 era when India averaged only 4 extraditions per year between 2004-2013, with 110 extradition requests remaining pending during that period.
Legal Framework Enhancements
The Modi government enacted several key legislative measures to strengthen the extradition framework. The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act was introduced in 2018, followed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Amendment Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment (UAPA) Act in 2019. In 2024, three new criminal laws incorporated special provisions for fugitive offenders, with Sections 355 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) enabling trials in absentia for the first time in Indian jurisprudence.
Financial Recovery and Asset Attachment
Through stringent enforcement of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the government attached assets worth ₹17,874 crore belonging to fugitive criminals between 2019 and 2026. During the same period, successful restitution amounting to ₹18,762 crore was carried out, including funds recovered from economic offenders who had fled the country.
Operational and Technological Improvements
The government developed an integrated, intelligence-led and technology-driven model to combat fugitive criminals. The BHARATPOL platform, launched in January 2025, connected more than 1,400 units of State and Central agencies onto a single platform, significantly reducing information sharing time between agencies from previous levels to just 3-10 days in some cases. The Central Bureau of Investigation established a Special Global Operations Centre that coordinates in real time with police agencies worldwide through Interpol.
INTERPOL Coordination and Notices
There has been a substantial increase in INTERPOL Red Corner Notices issued against fugitive criminals: 40 in 2022, 100 in 2023, 107 in 2024, 112 in 2025, and 182 already issued in 2026. Over the past three years, notices have been issued against 401 fugitive criminals. India hosted the 90th Interpol General Assembly in 2022 where the importance of communication, collaboration, and cooperation in global policing was emphasized.
Operation Trishul and Advanced Tracking
Operation Trishul was launched to geo-locate absconding criminals using satellite technology, surveillance, and digital footprint analysis. This initiative successfully located fugitives who had changed their names or identities while residing abroad. Technology has also been leveraged to expedite extradition proceedings through video conferencing for court hearings.
Institutional Coordination
The effort involves close coordination among multiple agencies including Intelligence Bureau, Central Bureau of Investigation, Research and Analysis Wing, National Investigation Agency, Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of External Affairs, Narcotics Control Bureau, Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence, and State Police forces. In January 2026, a Standing Focus Group was constituted under the Multi Agency Centre of the Intelligence Bureau to prioritize fugitive cases, standardize dossiers, and ensure sustained follow-up with foreign partners.
Types of Fugitives Returned
The extradited individuals include those wanted for terrorism, gangster activities, financial offenses, narcotics accusations, murder, rape, and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The campaign covers cases involving terrorism, pro-Khalistan extremism, gangster-terror nexus, narcotics trafficking, cyber fraud, and fake currency.