274 fugitives brought back as India expands global police operations
New Delhi: India brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2019 and July 2026, according to data released by the Union government on Tuesday, August 4. The returned accused were wanted in cases involving murder, sexual offences, organised crime, terrorism, narcotics, financial fraud and human trafficking.
The government said 70 fugitives were returned in 2025, the highest annual figure during the period. Another 45 were brought back during the first seven months of 2026. The information was released by the Press Information Bureau, which credited greater coordination between Indian agencies, foreign governments and Interpol for the increase.
The Modi govt has launched integrated, intelligence-led, and technology-driven operations, hounding fugitives in foreign lands.
The provision for trial in absentia under the three new laws has empowered the justice system to initiate proceedings against absconding criminals.…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 4, 2026
Murder and sexual offence cases form largest share
Government data showed that 62 of the returned fugitives were wanted in murder, robbery or other violent crime cases. Another 53 faced allegations linked to rape, sexual offences or the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The category-wise figures included:
- 45 accused in other criminal cases
- 42 linked to organised crime, gangs or extortion
- 18 wanted in human trafficking or kidnapping cases
- 17 accused of terrorism, anti-national activity or narco-terror
- 16 linked to narcotics and drug trafficking
Nine people were wanted in fraud or financial crime cases. Twelve were linked to smuggling, fake currency, cybercrime or contraband.
These figures describe accused persons brought back for legal proceedings. They do not, by themselves, establish guilt, which will be decided by courts.
Red Corner Notices rise sharply
The government said Interpol Red Corner Notices against wanted persons have increased in recent years. It reported 40 notices in 2022, 100 in 2023, 107 in 2024 and 112 in 2025.
A total of 182 notices had been issued in 2026 at the time of the statement. The government separately said notices were issued against 401 fugitives during the past three years.
Red Corner Notices help law enforcement agencies locate and provisionally detain wanted persons, subject to the laws of the country where they are found.
BHARATPOL links over 1,400 agencies
The government said BHARATPOL, launched in January 2025, connects more than 1,400 Central and state law enforcement units with Interpol channels.
The platform links the Central Bureau of Investigation, state police headquarters and district police units. According to the government, information that earlier moved slowly between agencies is now shared within 10 to 20 days in many cases and within three to 10 days in some cases.
The CBI has also established a Special Global Operations Centre and appointed Interpol contact officers across states and Central investigating agencies.
Under the vision of a robust and secure India, the Modi govt has pulled in the net, nabbing fugitives hiding abroad. Regardless of which country they absconded to, India’s new approach to national security has ensured the return of 274 criminals since 2019, compared with a mere…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 4, 2026
Operation Trishul used to trace fugitives
Under Operation Trishul, agencies used satellite inputs, surveillance, digital footprints and profile mapping to locate fugitives who had allegedly changed their names or identities abroad.
The government said video conferencing was used in some court proceedings to speed up extradition-related legal work.
India’s extradition efforts involved agencies including the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing, National Investigation Agency, Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of External Affairs, Narcotics Control Bureau and state police forces.
Assets worth ₹17,874 crore attached
The government said assets worth ₹17,874 crore belonging to fugitive offenders were attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act between 2019 and 2026.
It also reported restitution worth ₹18,762 crore during the same period, including money recovered in cases involving economic offenders who had left India.
The statement cited the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, amendments to the NIA Act and UAPA, and provisions under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita as parts of the legal framework used against fugitives.
Sections 355 and 356 of the BNSS allow courts to conduct trials in absentia in specified cases involving proclaimed offenders. The government said this allows proceedings to continue even when an accused remains outside India.