Two Interpol Red Notice fugitives deported from Thailand, US

NEW DELHI: In a coordinated operation led by the CBI, two fugitives wanted in separate fraud cases in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat were arrested upon their return from Thailand and the US on Wednesday, officials said.

Janarthanan Sundaram, accused of defrauding investors of over Rs 87 crore through a ponzi scheme, was deported from Bangkok and taken into custody at Kolkata airport by Tamil Nadu Police. He was wanted by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Tamil Nadu Police on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, and violations under the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019.

"The CBI, at the request of Tamil Nadu Police, facilitated the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice against Sundaram on June 21, 2023," a CBI spokesperson said.

Sundaram, who travelled to Bangkok on January 28, was denied entry due to the Red Notice. The CBI, in coordination with Interpol, the Indian Embassy in Bangkok, and Kolkata airport authorities, ensured his deportation.

Upon arrival, he was detained and later handed over to Tamil Nadu Police, who had dispatched a team from Chennai to secure his custody.

In a separate operation, the CBI’s Global Operations Centre coordinated with Gujarat Police and immigration authorities at Ahmedabad airport to intercept Virendrabhai Manibhai Patel, a fugitive wanted for 20 years in a Rs 77 crore fraud case linked to Charotar Nagrik Sahakari Bank, Anand.

An Interpol Red Notice was issued against Patel on March 3, 2004. He was identified and detained upon arrival from the US at Ahmedabad airport on January 29, before being handed over to Gujarat Police.