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India Reclaims Fugitive from Saudi
India Reclaims Fugitive from Saudi Arabia
New Delhi — In a significant law-enforcement success, Saudi Arabian authorities have deported an Indian national, Manakandathil Thekkethi (also known as Sheela Kallyani), to India. She was wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a case of criminal conspiracy and cheating. The operation underscores growing collaboration between Indian agencies and international law enforcement bodies.
The deportation took place on October 9, 2025, following close coordination between the CBI, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The role of Interpol was central: a Red Notice had been issued on October 5, 2023, enabling global alerts for her arrest and facilitating cooperation with foreign law-enforcement agencies.
A team from the CBI traveled to Saudi Arabia to facilitate the surrender and safe transit of the fugitive back to India. The agency’s official statement emphasized that Interpol’s Red Notice mechanism is designed to notify law enforcement agencies worldwide to assist in locating and detaining wanted fugitives.
The Case and Charges
Thekkethi was sought in India on allegations of criminal conspiracy and cheating. The CBI had secured an Interpol Red Notice in 2023 to request international support and to track her overseas movements.
With the Red Notice in effect, law-enforcement agencies globally were alerted to her status as a wanted individual.
Given the severity of the allegations, authorities were keen to bring her within Indian jurisdiction to face prosecution and ensure that justice is served. The CBI’s operations abroad in such matters often require diplomatic negotiation, logistical coordination, and compliance with bilateral or multilateral legal frameworks.
Mechanism of International Coordination
This deportation was made possible through a multilayered coordination effort:
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Interpol Red Notice: The CBI arranged for the issuance of a Red Notice on October 5, 2023. Through this notice, law enforcement agencies worldwide were alerted about Thekkethi and requested to cooperate in her capture or detention.
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Diplomatic Channels: The MEA and MHA facilitated the diplomatic and legal engagements needed with Saudi authorities. This includes obtaining formal approvals, ensuring legal compliance, and negotiating the terms of transfer.
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On-ground Operation: A CBI team went to Saudi Arabia to oversee the transfer and ensure her safe return.
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Return to India: The fugitive arrived in India on October 9, 2025, and was taken into custody as per domestic legal procedures.
The CBI described this case as part of a broader international cooperation framework under which over 130 fugitives have been repatriated to India in recent years using Interpol’s platforms and coordination.
In a related instance, the CBI recently coordinated the return of Munawar Khan from Kuwait in September 2025. Khan was wanted in a case involving forgery and cheating connected to the Bank of Baroda. His return was also facilitated via Interpol channels, in coordination with the MEA and the local authorities in Kuwait.
These efforts are orchestrated under the institutional framework in India whereby the CBI acts as the National Central Bureau (NCB) for Interpol, coordinating international law enforcement activities under the platform called BHARATPOL.
Significance and Implications
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Strengthening international partnerships
This operation underscores India’s commitment to forging robust law-enforcement linkages with foreign jurisdictions. As criminals increasingly cross borders to evade justice, such cooperation becomes critical. -
Deterrence against safe havens
The successful retrieval of fugitives sends a message that no country can remain a permanent safe haven if it fails to cooperate with global legal frameworks. -
Enhancing institutional capacity
India’s track record of using Interpol channels demonstrates the effectiveness of its law enforcement architecture (CBI, MEA, MHA) in pursuing and successfully delivering justice internationally. -
Legal & procedural precedent
Each successful deportation deepens the body of procedural knowledge—negotiating terms of transfer, complying with extradition or deportation laws, and ensuring due process. -
Public confidence
Bringing high-profile fugitives back bolsters public trust that justice can reach even those who flee abroad.
Yet, such operations also come with challenges: navigating legal systems of other nations, ensuring diplomatic sensitivities, respecting human rights and fair procedure, and avoiding delays or legal appeals in host countries.
Conclusion
The repatriation of Manakandathil Thekkethi (alias Sheela Kallyani) is among India’s high-profile successes in international law enforcement cooperation. Coordinated efforts by the CBI, MEA, MHA, and Interpol ensured her safe return to face charges. This case reinforces India’s growing ability to confront transnational crime and underscores a message to fugitives everywhere: escape is not absolute when global coordination works.
Disclaimer:
This is a rewritten news summary intended for informational and educational use. The content is compiled from public sources. The original news agencies retain all rights to original reporting. The summary may omit details or nuance; readers should refer to original news reports for full context.
