274 fugitive criminals brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 & 2026: MHA

New Delhi: India has brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries between 2021 and 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs said that to strengthen action against fugitives, the government enacted the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in 2018. It added that India has developed an integrated, intelligence-led and technology-driven model to combat fugitive criminals.

The Ministry said that before 2014, India had extradition treaties with only 37 countries and there was also no dedicated law to deal with economic fugitives or to confiscate their assets.

It informed that between 2004 and 2013, India secured the extradition of only four fugitives per year on average, while 110 extradition requests remained pending. The Ministry highlighted that previous governments lacked the political will to bring back fugitives but the current government has made the extradition of fugitives a ‘national priority’.

Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised a three-pronged strategy against fugitives, such as global outreach, strong coordination, and smart diplomacy. Mr Shah described the issue of fugitive offenders as one that is intrinsically linked to the country’s sovereignty, economic stability, law and order, and national security.

Further, the Ministry noted that there has been a significant increase in the issuance of INTERPOL Red Corner Notices, in the last three years, and notices have also been issued against 401 fugitive criminals.

The Government launched BHARATPOL, connecting more than one thousand-four hundred agencies with INTERPOL, reducing the time required for information sharing to 3 to 10 days. The Ministry highlighted that the government used satellite technology and digital footprints to geo-locate fugitive criminals hiding abroad after changing their names and identities through Operation Trishul. (Agencies)