All central investigation agencies have started collecting biometric information on fugitive criminals under their investigation, prompted by a recent interaction with the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Christopher A Wray, during his visit to India.
Wray was in India from December 11 to 12, marking the first visit by an FBI director in 12 years. During his visit he met with officers of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), intelligence agencies and Delhi Police. In his interaction with the probe agencies, Wray is learned to have emphasised the importance of sharing biometric details of fugitive criminals as opposed to the current Indian practice of providing details such as current residence and locations.
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.
ExplainedHunt for fugitives
Indian agencies usually share details such as name of accused, passport details and current location while requesting a Red Corner Notice from Interpol. After the meeting with Wray, a decision has been taken to compile the biometric data of fugitives, which would then be used in seeking a fresh request for an RCN.
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.
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