India Ushering in New Era of International Investigations to Bring Fugitives to Justice
NEW DELHI – Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is embarking on a new era in international investigations, with a concerted focus on expediting the return of wanted fugitives. To strategize a roadmap for this objective, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, is set to inaugurate a two-day conference titled ‘Extradition of Fugitives-Challenges and Strategies’ in New Delhi on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
The conference, organized by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), will bring together senior police officers and law enforcement experts from various Central and State Police agencies, alongside stakeholders from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The deliberations over the two days will encompass an array of critical issues aimed at strengthening international police cooperation. These include the effective use of formal and informal channels for cooperation from foreign countries, leveraging technology to locate fugitive criminals, formulating a strategic approach for extradition, and the vital analysis of the financial footprint of wanted fugitives. Special attention will be paid to fugitives involved in Narco, Terror, Cybercrime, Organized crime, and Economic offenses.
The urgency of the conference is underscored by the fact that more than 300 extradition requests concerning wanted Indian fugitives are currently pending with various foreign countries. There is a concern regarding delays, often due to fugitives exploiting different avenues to impede their extradition efforts. Furthermore, many criminals associated with organized gangs continue to operate their activities from abroad after fleeing India. Law enforcement agencies will work to identify a clear roadmap for the expeditious return of these individuals.
The initiative follows a coordinated approach impressed upon by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah in July this year, with the objective to bring back wanted fugitives through appropriate legal and diplomatic channels in a time-bound manner.
Adding to India’s technological capability in this sphere is the BHARATPOL portal, developed by the CBI and previously launched by the Home Minister. The portal serves as a unified platform, connecting district police units, state police forces, central law enforcement agencies, and the CBI, thus enabling the seamless flow of information necessary for international cooperation.
The exchange of ideas and insights during the conference is expected to significantly help in strategizing future efforts to ensure that fugitives face criminal justice in India.