FBI Director nudges shift in India’s fugitive hunt: Probe agencies to prioritise sharing biometric data with US

During the meeting, senior officials of the central agencies raised a point related to fugitive criminals and requested increased cooperation from US authorities. “After discussing the matter with them, it is learned that Wray asked for the submission of biometric details for all such criminals.” According to sources, he emphasised the importance of storing these details in their server to facilitate easier arrest.

Following these suggestions, central investigating agencies are now compiling a database of biometric details for fugitive criminals, focusing on their travel documents, including both genuine and forged passports.

Typically, the central probe agencies in India, when requesting a Red Corner Notice, provide details such as the accused’s name, passport information, and current location. However, following Wray’s meeting, a decision has been made to gather biometric details — extracted from Aadhaar and Passport records — of fugitive criminals. This data will be compiled and shared with relevant agencies along with their updated request. “It has been observed that some criminals have fled India using forged passports. Even after discovering details of their new forged passports, the local investigation agencies tend to share only basic information about their whereabouts,” said sources.

In one of his meetings at the CBI headquarters, it is learnt that Wray discussed expediting the sharing of evidence and closer collaboration for apprehending criminals and fugitives to ensure they face justice.

In another meeting at the NIA headquarters, agency chief Dinkar Gupta had highlighted the nexus between terrorist outfits with members of organised criminal syndicates. Wray had informed the NIA that the FBI was aggressively investigating the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.

“On the nexus between terror actors and organised crime syndicates, Wray had told them that a blurring of lines between terrorists and criminals was now visible in cyberspace as well… Terror incidents like 9/11 and the Mumbai attacks have changed the way in which nations respond to terror threats, he (Wray) observed, emphasising on the need to take the partnership and cooperation between the FBI and the NIA to the next level to deal with the constantly evolving challenges and threats of terrorism,” an NIA official said.