Kathmandu— Between 2019 and 2026, India has successfully brought back 274 fugitives from 36 countries. The accused include individuals wanted for terrorism, organized crime, sexual offenses, and financial crimes. Assets worth Rs 17,874 crore belonging to these criminals have also been attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Extradition Efforts Strengthened

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's leadership, India has significantly enhanced its extradition efforts. The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act was enacted in 2018 to target economic offenders who flee the country. Since then, a total of 40 Red Corner Notices were issued in 2022, increasing to 182 by mid-2026.

Before 2019, India's extradition framework was outdated with treaties limited to only 37 countries and slow processing times leading to frequent rejections. The Modi government has made the extradition of fugitives a national priority.

Enhanced Coordination and Technology

To improve coordination and international cooperation, India established a Special Global Operations Centre within the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2019. Interpol Contact Officers were designated in every state to facilitate swift information exchange.

Operation Trishul was launched to geo-locate absconding criminals using satellite inputs and digital footprint analysis. This initiative has helped identify fugitives who had changed their identities while residing abroad.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.