The Central government on Tuesday said that 274 fugitives have been brought back to India from 36 countries over the past seven years, describing it as a significant improvement in the country's extradition and repatriation efforts.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the number of fugitives returned during this period is nearly ten times higherthan between 2004 and 2013, when an average of around four fugitives were brought back annually.

The government attributed the increase to a coordinated strategy involving multiple investigative agencies, legal reforms and greater use of technology.

Assets Worth ₹17,874 Crore Attached

The Centre said properties worth ₹17,874 crore belonging to fugitives have been attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) during the same period.

Officials stated that a technology-driven and intelligence-based framework has strengthened the country's ability to trace fugitives, pursue extradition requests and initiate financial action against accused persons who fled abroad.

Crimes Linked to Returned Fugitives

According to government data, the fugitives brought back between 2019 and July 2026 were wanted in a wide range of criminal cases.

The figures include:

• 9 accused in financial crime cases.

• 17 wanted in terrorism-related offences.

• 42 linked to organised crime.

• 62 facing charges of murder, robbery and other violent crimes.

• 53 accused in sexual offence cases, including crimes against children.

• 16 involved in drug trafficking.

• 12 linked to smuggling and counterfeit currency.

• 18 wanted in human trafficking cases.

• 45 facing charges in other criminal matters.

Rise in Interpol Red Notices

The government also highlighted a sharp increase in the number of Interpol Red Corner Notices issued against fugitives.

According to official figures, 40 notices were issued in 2022, 100 in 2023, 107 in 2024, 112 in 2025, and 182 have already been issued in 2026.

Overall, 401 Red Corner Notices have been issued during the past three years.

Multi-Agency Coordination

The Ministry of Home Affairs said extradition requests are now prepared with greater attention to the legal requirements of the countries concerned.

It said coordination has been strengthened among the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Ministry of External Affairs, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI)and state police forces.

The government also noted that a Standing Focus Group was established under the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) in January 2026 to prioritise cases involving fugitives.

Legal Reforms and Technology

The Centre said legislative changes have also strengthened action against offenders fleeing abroad.

These include the implementation of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, amendments to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019, and provisions for trial in absentia under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which came into force in 2024.

The government further highlighted the launch of BHARATPOL by the CBI in January 2025, connecting more than 1,400 agencies on a single platform.

It also said Operation Trishul is being used to trace fugitives through satellite-based intelligence and digital footprint analysis, while video conferencing facilities have accelerated judicial proceedings in extradition-related cases.

Centre Highlights Improved Extradition Framework

The government maintained that stronger inter-agency coordination, legal reforms and technology-enabled investigations have significantly improved India's ability to locate, extradite and prosecute fugitives, while ensuring attachment of their assets under existing laws.