India has successfully brought back 274 fugitive criminals from 36 countries since 2021, marking a significant increase in extradition and deportation efforts aimed at tackling terrorism, organised crime, financial fraud and other serious offences, the Centre said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the government has made the return of fugitives a national priority by combining legal reforms, intelligence sharing, international cooperation and technology-based tracking systems to pursue criminals hiding abroad.
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According to the ministry, the campaign targets individuals wanted for offences including terrorism, organised crime, narcotics trafficking, cyber fraud, financial crimes, murder, rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The MHA spokesperson said Union Home Minister Amit Shah has consistently described fugitive offenders as a threat not only to law and order but also to India’s sovereignty, economic stability and national security.
The ministry contrasted the current extradition framework with the situation before 2014, saying India’s efforts were then hampered by outdated procedures, limited treaty coverage and inadequate coordination between agencies.
At that time, India had extradition treaties with only 37 countries, while nearly 110 extradition requests remained pending. Between 2004 and 2013, the country secured the return of only around four fugitives annually on average, the statement noted.
The Centre said major legislative reforms have strengthened its ability to pursue offenders abroad. One of the most significant measures was the enactment of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in 2018, which empowers authorities to attach and confiscate the assets of economic offenders who flee the country to evade prosecution.
The government also intensified enforcement of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Between 2019 and 2026, authorities attached assets worth Rs 17,874 crore belonging to fugitive criminals under the anti-money laundering law.
The ministry further highlighted a sharp rise in the number of Interpol Red Corner Notices issued by India in recent years. While India issued 40 Red Corner Notices in 2022, the figure rose to 100 in 2023, 107 in 2024 and 112 in 2025. So far in 2026, India has issued 182 such notices.
Overall, Red Corner Notices have been issued against 401 fugitive criminals over the past three years, reflecting the government’s increased efforts to locate and secure the return of offenders hiding overseas.
The Centre said closer collaboration with foreign governments, improved intelligence coordination and stronger legal mechanisms have significantly enhanced India’s capacity to track, identify and repatriate wanted criminals.
