Patna: A major crackdown is set to begin against criminals who committed serious offences in Bihar and later fled abroad to evade arrest. The Central Bureau of Investigation’s International Police Cooperation Unit (IPCU) has launched a special operation aimed at tracing such fugitives and facilitating their return to India.
The initiative will focus on individuals accused in cases related to murder, cyber fraud, drug trafficking, organised crime, human trafficking, and economic offences. Officials said the newly constituted focus group has been tasked with identifying absconding accused persons, locating them internationally, and accelerating extradition or repatriation procedures.
Bihar Police Headquarters Issues Statewide Alert
Following the launch of the operation, the Bihar Police Headquarters, through the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has sought detailed information from all districts regarding criminals who fled the country after being named in serious criminal cases.
District police units have been instructed to provide comprehensive records, including names, addresses, father’s names, dates of birth, passport numbers, passport status, photographs, details of registered cases, and copies of FIRs.
Wherever available, biometric details such as fingerprints are also being collected to strengthen identification and verification processes.
Fugitive Criminals Divided into Four Categories
According to officials, the IPCU has classified fugitives into four broad categories to streamline investigation and coordination efforts.
These include:
- Individuals linked to terrorism and organised crime
- Drug trafficking networks
- Accused involved in economic crimes such as bank fraud and money laundering
- Persons connected to cybercrime and human trafficking
A centralised database containing the profiles and criminal records of these fugitives is currently being prepared.
Interpol and Foreign Agencies to Assist
Officials said the database will be shared with international agencies, including Interpol, and law enforcement authorities in foreign countries.
Once the location of a fugitive is confirmed, the Government of India will begin legal proceedings for extradition or deportation under existing international agreements and treaties.
Investigators believe the initiative could significantly disrupt criminal syndicates operating from foreign countries while targeting victims in Bihar and other Indian states.
Cyber Fraud Cases Revealed International Links
In recent years, Bihar has witnessed multiple cases of cyber fraud and financial crimes with alleged international connections.
Investigations in districts including Bhagalpur, Patna, and Siwan reportedly revealed that some accused individuals were operating from Gulf countries and parts of Southeast Asia.
One such case in Bhagalpur involved a cyber fraud in which a bank manager and an elderly resident were allegedly cheated of Rs 2.31 crore. Investigators later found indications of foreign-based operational networks linked to the fraud.
Focus on Emerging Cross-Border Crime Networks
Officials associated with the operation said criminal activities are increasingly transcending geographical boundaries due to digital communication and online financial systems.
They said the joint effort between Bihar Police and central agencies is intended to strengthen law enforcement coordination against evolving transnational crime networks.
Authorities expect the operation to accelerate the arrest of absconding accused persons and improve the state’s ability to respond to organised cyber and financial crimes originating from outside India.
