Context:

Recent government data for 2024-25 reveals that 71 fugitives wanted by India were located in foreign countries, marking the highest number in 12 years. Despite this, only 27 fugitives returned to India during the same period. This surge underscores the challenges inherent in bringing back individuals who evade prosecution and highlights the urgent need for stronger international cooperation and more robust legal mechanisms.

Extradition and Legal Framework:

India has signed extradition treaties with 48 countries and maintains specific arrangements with 12 more. Additionally, multilateral conventions, such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption, provide legal avenues to pursue fugitives abroad.

Over the past five years:

• • • • India sent 137 extradition requests.
      • 134 of these requests were accepted, yet 125 remain pending.
      • Only 25 fugitives were successfully extradited during this period, reflecting significant delays in international judicial processes.

Role of CBI and Global Operations:

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), through its Global Operations Centre, geo-locates fugitives using Interpol channels and coordinates with foreign law enforcement.

In 2024-25, 74 judicial requests (known as letters rogatory) were sent abroad, of which 47 were fully executed. However, as of March 31, 2025, 533 letters rogatory remained pending, comprising:

• • • • 276 cases from the CBI.
      • 257 cases from various state and central law enforcement agencies.

Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEOs):

The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 specifically targets individuals who commit high-value offenses (₹100 crore or more) and flee India to avoid legal proceedings.

Key provisions include:

• • • • Confiscation of Properties: Includes assets located abroad and benami holdings.
      • Bar on Legal Claims: Offenders are barred from filing or defending civil claims in Indian courts.
      • Specialized Trials: Proceedings are held in Special Courts designated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
      • Provisional Attachment: Assets can be attached while proceedings are still pending.

The Act aims to deter economic offenders from exploiting jurisdictional gaps and facilitates the recovery of losses for banks and financial institutions.

Challenges and Way Forward:

Despite locating a record number of fugitives, India continues to face hurdles due to procedural delays, differing legal systems, and a high volume of pending judicial requests. To ensure swift repatriation, it is essential to:

• • • • Strengthen bilateral treaties.
      • Improve real-time coordination through Interpol.
      • Expedite domestic and international judicial processes.

Enhanced public and institutional awareness of the Fugitive Economic Offenders framework can also support more timely action against high-value offenders.

Conclusion:

The rise in fugitives located abroad reflects both India’s enhanced investigative capacity and the increasing need for efficient extradition mechanisms. Strengthening international cooperation and fully leveraging legal instruments like the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act are vital to protecting national interests and ensuring accountability.