Vivek Shukla, senior journalist
The Modi government had introduced the 'Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill' in 2018. Since then, India has created a new history in extradition of fugitives from foreign countries. In the last six years, 274 fugitives have been brought to India from different countries, which is the largest figure so far. Of these, the return has been the highest in the last two years alone. 70 fugitives were brought back in 2025, while the return of 45 fugitives has been ensured by July 2026. These figures clearly show that bringing those who commit crimes in India and flee abroad or take refuge before the law of the country, has now become a national priority of the Modi government.
Decisive role of Home Ministry: The credit for making the extradition process active and effective mainly goes to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Home Ministry is the main coordinator and nodal agency in bringing fugitives hiding abroad to India. Preparation of legal documents (dossier) of every fugitive, exchange of documents with foreign counterparts and assessment and verification of evidence before sending extradition request, all this is the responsibility of the Home Ministry. The entire responsibility of extradition rests on these strong evidence and documents.
The Home Ministry has created the 'Bharatpol' platform in collaboration with global networks like Interpol. Under the leadership of Amit Shah, India's association with Interpol has now become a symbol of new global cooperation. Earlier only CBI used to have contact with Interpol, but now through Bharatpol, state police and central agencies can directly connect with the global network. Currently, more than 1,400 state and central law enforcement units are linked to the platform. This allows tracking of criminals in real time. Within three to twenty days, the activities of the criminals come on the platform and the extradition process starts.
Red Corner Notice and new arrangement: Home Ministry India is sending alert to the whole world through Interpol Red Corner Notice. In 2026 alone, notices were issued against 182 fugitives. In January 2026, the Home Ministry started work by setting up a multi-agency center and standing focus group of the Intelligence Bureau to keep an eye on high-profile fugitives present abroad. The aim is clear to ensure extradition of all fugitives as soon as possible. In the last five years, the Modi government sent 137 extradition requests to various foreign governments, of which 134 were accepted. Since 2019, fugitive criminals from 36 countries have been brought to India.
Successful extradition from America and UAE also: Earlier it was believed that it was almost impossible to bring the wanted people from America or Britain, but the Modi government achieved success from these countries also. Tahawwur Rana was extradited from America on 9 April 2025. Rana is the main accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, who along with David Coleman Headley had planned the attacks. The government continued efforts with the US administration until President Donald Trump approved his extradition in February 2025.
The UAE was also considered safe for fugitives, but strong bilateral ties have brought many major criminals there in recent years. This year three big economic offenders were extradited. Ganesh Jewelery House promoter Kamlesh Parekh, who had defrauded 25 banks worth thousands of crores, was brought back from UAE in May 2026. Mohammad Nawaz Kakkat Ismail (accused of forgery and extortion) and Gaurav (who ran an organized crime syndicate in Haryana) were also brought back recently. Harshit Babulal Jain, accused of money laundering, was deported.
Before and now: world of difference: Before 2014, India had extradition treaties with only 37 countries. Now there are agreements with about 60 countries. Then on an average only four fugitives were extradited every year. Foreign courts often rejected requests due to incomplete documentation and weak advocacy. From 2004 to 2014, only 62 fugitives were extradited, while 121 applications were pending. Assets worth Rs 17,874 crore of fugitives have been seized. The Home Ministry has left the old passive style and prepared a new active model of diplomatic-legal action. The thing is that there is no safe corner left in the world for fugitives. Indian law is now reaching every corner. (These are the personal views of the author)