Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the CBI has established a Global Operation Centre to track and extradite international fugitives, reaffirming India’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, crime, and terrorism at the “Extradition of Fugitives” conference.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has set up a special Global Operation Centre to locate and apprehend fugitives hiding in foreign countries.
Addressing the “Extradition of Fugitives—Challenges and Strategies” conference in New Delhi, Shah reaffirmed that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, crime, and terrorism, both within and beyond the country’s borders.
Shah said the establishment of the Global Operation Centre marks a crucial step toward bringing every offender under the ambit of law. “A ruthless approach should be adopted with every fugitive and they must be brought before India’s judicial system,” he asserted.
India’s Strengthened Global Reach Against Fugitives
Highlighting the proactive steps taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Shah said India is moving forward with a robust legal and enforcement framework that ensures not only border security but also the integrity of justice across international boundaries.
“While maintaining zero tolerance against corruption, crime, and terrorism within the country, we must adopt the same approach for those who conduct such activities from outside India. It is our duty to bring them under Indian law,” Shah stated.
He emphasised that the Global Operation Centre, established by the CBI, will coordinate in real time with international police agencies and law enforcement bodies to trace, locate, and extradite offenders. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s global policing capabilities through enhanced collaboration and data-sharing.
Conference Focuses on Legal and Technological Solutions
Amit Shah underscored that the conference, organised by the CBI, aligns with India’s evolving legal framework, including the three new criminal laws and the provisions of Interpol. These tools, he said, provide a clear roadmap for ensuring that fugitives can no longer evade Indian justice.
He appreciated the CBI for implementing the “fugitive extradition” concept that he had proposed a year and a half ago, saying, “It should be our collective resolve that no matter how clever a criminal may be, justice must reach them faster.”
Economic Offenders and Asset Recovery
The Home Minister recalled the introduction of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (2018), which empowers authorities to confiscate assets of absconding economic criminals. According to Shah, more than two billion US dollars worth of assets have been recovered since the law’s enactment.
He further revealed that under the strengthened money laundering laws, assets worth around 12 billion dollars have been attached between 2014 and 2023.
Shah suggested that every state establish a dedicated unit in collaboration with the CBI to create an effective extradition mechanism at the state level. “This joint mechanism will ensure that fugitives who escape from any state are swiftly brought back,” he said.
Conference Highlights and Global Cooperation
The two-day conference features seven focused sessions discussing cyber technology, financial crimes, tracing the flow of illicit funds, simplifying extradition procedures, creating fugitive databases, and strengthening international cooperation.
Shah noted that the deliberations would significantly benefit national security, economic growth, and policy development, while helping India overcome the complex challenges involved in international law enforcement.
CBI’s Achievements in Extradition Efforts
In his address, CBI Director Praveen Sood highlighted the agency’s success in extradition operations, revealing that 35 fugitives have been brought back to India in 2025 alone. He also informed that 338 extradition requests from India remain pending with various countries and that 957 Interpol notices have been issued based on India’s requests so far.
Sood reaffirmed the CBI’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Interpol and partner nations to ensure that fugitives face justice under Indian law.
The conference brought together senior police officers from central and state agencies to deliberate on international police cooperation, sharing strategies to improve coordination and expedite the extradition of absconding offenders.
Strengthening the Rule of Law Globally
Amit Shah concluded by asserting that India’s growing strength under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership lies not only in its economic and military power but also in its commitment to the rule of law.
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“The Global Operation Centre is a message to criminals across the world — no matter where you hide, justice will find you,” Shah said.