Through persistent and coordinated efforts with Interpol, India has effectively brought back 24 fugitives from overseas in the current year. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed this information at the 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna on Friday, where a delegation led by agency director Praveen Sood and National Investigation Agency (NIA) chief Dinkar Gupta represented India. These agencies have also identified the whereabouts of around 184 criminals in different countries and are actively pursuing their repatriation.
Director Praveen Sood, during the assembly, underscored the commitment to eliminating safe havens for crime, criminals, and the proceeds of crimes. The collaboration between Indian and international agencies has played a crucial role in bringing back more than 65 individuals since 2021, including 27 repatriated last year and 18 in 2021.
The CBI highlighted the efficient utilization of Interpol channels, empowering Indian law enforcement agencies to retrieve 24 criminals and fugitives wanted in India, marking one of the highest figures in a single year. The statement also noted the geolocation of over 184 criminals and the initiation of formal procedures for their return. Geolocating criminals involves determining their whereabouts through various methods, including technical data, phone locations, criminal activities, and human intelligence.
Over the last three years, Indian law enforcement agencies have successfully repatriated notable fugitives, such as Subhash Shankar Parab and Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Malaysia. Shankar Parab, a close associate of diamantaire Nirav Modi, was deported from Cairo in April of the previous year. Similarly, Happy Malaysia, believed to be the main conspirator behind the December 2021 Ludhiana court bomb blast, was also returned to India. Additionally, Khalistani separatist Bijarmjit Singh was repatriated to India in 2022.
