India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a wanted suspect in a Sri Lankan human trafficking case after he was repatriated to India by Sri Lankan authorities following his detention under an INTERPOL Red Notice.
According to an NIA statement issued on Friday (13), the suspect, identified as Pudumadam Imran, was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport after being deported from Sri Lanka.
The NIA said Imran, identified as accused number 15 in the case, had been evading arrest and was wanted in connection with a human trafficking network involving Sri Lankan nationals.
Investigators allege that Imran actively participated in a conspiracy to traffic Sri Lankan citizens to India by falsely promising to arrange their travel to Canada using valid documents.
According to the NIA, the suspect collected money from the victims’ family members and relatives in exchange for arranging their journeys.
The agency further alleged that he transferred funds through illegal hawala channels to other suspects in India to facilitate the trafficking and confinement of the victims.
The investigation originated in 2021 after local police conducted raids at several premises in Mangalore, Karnataka, based on intelligence regarding the presence of Sri Lankan nationals without valid travel documents.
Following the raids, police registered a case under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.
The NIA subsequently took over the investigation on July 13, 2021, registering a case involving criminal conspiracy, human trafficking, cheating and violations of immigration and passport laws.
The agency said two other suspects who had previously evaded arrest, Seeni Aabul Khan and Imran Khan, were arrested in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Both are currently facing trial before the Special Court for NIA Cases in Bengaluru.
The latest arrest follows cooperation between Indian and Sri Lankan authorities, with the suspect’s detention and repatriation carried out following an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the NIA’s request.
The NIA has not disclosed further details about the circumstances of Imran’s detention in Sri Lanka or the date on which he was taken into custody by Sri Lankan authorities.