Archive · 25 Aug 2026
India Deports 51 Fugitives in 2026, 274 Since 2019
Indian authorities are bringing people accused of serious crimes back from other countries.
They say 51 fugitives returned to India in 2026, including three gangsters from Malaysia.
Since 2019, 274 fugitives have been brought back from 36 countries.
These people are wanted in cases involving drugs, terrorism, violence, sexual offences and financial crimes.
The returned suspects will face legal proceedings in India.
Agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency and Narcotics Control Bureau worked with foreign authorities.
Officials say technology and Interpol notices helped locate some fugitives.
The government says this coordinated effort is intended to help deliver justice to victims.
Indian agencies brought back 51 wanted criminals during 2026, including six between August 1 and 18.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said 274 fugitives were returned from 36 countries between 2019 and 2026.
Three alleged gangsters were deported from Malaysia to India on August 18 and handed to Punjab Police.
The returned fugitives include suspects wanted in terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, murder, rape and financial-crime cases.
Authorities reported attaching fugitive assets worth Rs 17,874 crore and issuing 182 Red Corner Notices in 2026 so far.
- Who
- Indian central and state law-enforcement agencies, working with foreign authorities, returned fugitives wanted in India.
- What
- India secured the deportation or return of 51 fugitives in 2026 and 274 from 36 countries since 2019.
- When
- The latest reported deportations occurred on August 18, 2026; the figures cover 2026 through August 18 and the period since 2019.
- Where
- The fugitives were brought to India from countries including Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye and the United States.
- Why
- They were wanted in India for alleged offences including terrorism, organized crime, narcotics, murder, sexual offences and financial crimes, and were returned to face legal action.
- Fugitives returned in 2026
- 51, including 45 brought back through July and six from August 1 to August 18.
- Total returned since 2019
- 274 fugitives from 36 countries, according to Ministry of Home Affairs data.
- Highest annual total
- 70 fugitives were brought back in 2025.
- Latest Malaysia operation
- Jaspreet Singh, Ajay Singh and Pawandeep Singh were deported from Malaysia on August 18 and handed to Punjab Police.
- Reported asset attachments
- Assets worth Rs 17,874 crore were attached between 2019 and 2026, according to the ministry.
- Red Corner Notices
- 182 had been issued in 2026 so far; 401 were issued over the previous three years, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Fugitive-tracking initiative
- Operation Trishul uses Interpol support, satellite inputs, surveillance and digital-footprint analysis to locate absconding criminals.