To extradite Indian fugitives from abroad via diplomatic channels in a time-bound manner, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is learnt to have asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to coordinate with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for preparing dossiers on those involved in terror, narcotics, and arms smuggling. He is understood to have issued these directions at the two-day ‘National Security Strategies Conference-2025’ organised by the IB in New Delhi in the last week of July. During the conference, Shah suggested that the CBI hold a workshop with the IB, NIA, other central agencies, state police, and expert lawyers in the field to formulate an SOP for preparing dossiers on Indian fugitives based abroad, involved in terror, narcotics, and arms smuggling, and to bring them back through appropriate legal and diplomatic channels in a time-bound manner. An official said the CBI has succeeded in facilitating the return of 137 fugitives from different countries in the last five years – nearly twice the number repatriated over the entire decade between 2010 and 2019. “The CBI was able to secure the extradition or deportation of 137 fugitives since 2020. Of these, 27 were brought back this year till September 5,” the official said. A senior government official added that Shah also suggested dossiers should be prepared within a month and that every state police force, along with central agencies, should earmark dedicated teams of officers and expert advocates to make continuous efforts to bring back all fugitives. The process of extradition has three stages: issuance of a Red Notice by Interpol, geolocation of the fugitive, and extradition after legal and diplomatic manoeuvres — all of which are time-consuming. To reduce the time required to issue a Red Notice by Interpol, which alerts all 195 countries about a fugitive wanted in a particular country, the CBI launched its digital portal Bharatpol in January, inaugurated by Shah. “With Bharatpol, international police collaboration becomes more seamless. This portal enables easy drafting of Red Corner Notice requests and other colour-coded notices of Interpol. It is helping in the effective tracking of crime, criminals, and proceeds of crime globally,” the official said. On Tuesday, during the 2nd national conference of heads of anti-narcotics task forces (ANTFs) of various states and Union Territories, Shah highlighted the importance of deporting and extraditing fugitives. “The time has come to bring those operating drug trades from abroad under the ambit of Indian law,” he said. He also stressed that just as extradition is crucial, a practical approach to deportation is equally important. “A liberal approach to deportation processes should be adopted to ensure a mechanism for deporting criminals,” Shah said.
