New Delhi, Aug 4: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday said India has brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2019 and July 2026, crediting an intelligence-led, technology-driven strategy, legal reforms and enhanced international cooperation for the success.
According to the ministry, the government strengthened the country’s extradition framework through measures including the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, amendments to security laws and the introduction of provisions for trial in absentia under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). It said these reforms have accelerated efforts to bring fugitives back to India.
The MHA said the launch of BHARATPOL in January 2025 has improved coordination between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), State Police and other law enforcement agencies by integrating more than 1,400 units on a single platform. It said the system has significantly reduced the time taken for information sharing in extradition cases.
Highlighting the use of technology in investigations, the ministry said agencies have relied on satellite inputs, surveillance, digital footprint analysis and video conferencing to trace fugitives and expedite legal proceedings. It added that 401 Interpol Red Corner Notices have been issued over the past three years, including 182 in 2026 so far.
The ministry’s data shows that 9 fugitives were brought back in 2019, 7 in 2020, 23 in 2021, 40 in 2022, 37 in 2023, 43 in 2024, 70 in 2025 and 45 till July 2026, taking the cumulative total to 274. The returnees include individuals wanted in cases related to murder, terrorism, organised crime, financial fraud, narcotics, sexual offences, human trafficking and cybercrime.
The MHA said the campaign has been driven through coordinated efforts involving the Intelligence Bureau (IB), 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 Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) and State Police forces. It added that a Standing Focus Group under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), constituted in January 2026, has further strengthened India’s fugitive management framework.
