CBI nets 33 fugitives thanks to ‘Operation Trishul’

The CBI is India’s nodal agency which coordinates with the Interpol to bring back to bring back fugitives hiding abroad.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has deported 33 people wanted in various crimes from other countries under Operation Trishul.

Since the launch of the operation, the agency has successfully extradited 33 criminals since January 2022. The CBI is India's nodal agency which coordinates with national central bureaus in other countries.

Reports while citing officials said that the in the most recent case, a Red Notice subject, Haneefa Makkat wanted by the Kerala police in Kunnamangalam police station in Kozhikode for the kidnapping and murder of one Karim in 2006 was extradited from Saudi Arabia. He was brought back to India on Sunday, the official said.

Based on the Interpol report, a Red Notice was issued against Haneefa who was hiding in Saudi Arabia. The information about the accused was passed on by Interpol Saudi Arabia, following which the extradition took place.

On March 7, the CBI arrested Harchand Gill, director of the Pearls Group after he was deported from Fiji. He was involved in a multi-crore Ponzi scam, which was allegedly undertaken by his company. The Interpol had issued a Red Notice against Gill.

News agency ANI while citing an official said that the the CBI is coordinating with Nodal agencies of other countries related absconding accused hiding in various countries. Several cases are under process and those accused absconding will be extradited soon, the official also told the news agency.

Under Operation Trishul, the CBI geolocates criminals with the help of the Interpol. The agency seeks the deportation or extradition through a formal route.. The operation also involves tracing the proceeds of financial crimes.

Operation Trishul also involves using the Interpol's Star Global Focal Point Network, analysis of financial crime files and using the Interpol's channels to identify dispersal of proceeds of crime by financial criminals. Through this steps are being initiated through formal channels for the recovery of proceeds of crime.

Operation Trishul also aims at dismantling support networks and generate criminal intelligence on shell companies, fraudulent transactions, money mules and co-accused located globally. The operation also helps the law enforcement agencies to get information via Interpol channels for taking suitable action as per their domestic legal frameworks. The CBI also works in close coordination with the police of other countries to undertake this operation.

This operation commenced in mid 2022. Last year the CBI was successful in bring back 27 fugitives hiding abroad. This year seven fugitives have been brought back to India. Operation Trishul would continue the CBI has said.