NEW DELHI—India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has secured the deportation of a woman accused in a multi-crore investment fraud case from the United Arab Emirates, marking the latest operation carried out through international police cooperation channels to bring wanted fugitives back to the country.
The CBI said the accused, identified as Vishakha Rathod, was returned to India following close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs and authorities in the UAE. The operation was facilitated through Interpol after a Red Notice had been issued against her at the request of Indian investigators.
According to the agency, Rathod is wanted in connection with an alleged investment fraud under investigation by Pune Police. Investigators allege that investors were persuaded to place funds in multiple investment schemes with promises of assured monthly returns. Authorities have said the suspected fraud involved about 8.8 billion rupees (88 crore rupees), although the allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings.
The CBI said the accused was traced in the UAE after the publication of the Interpol Red Notice and that Indian authorities worked with their counterparts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to complete the legal process required for her deportation. She was subsequently brought to India and handed over to the Maharashtra Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.
The federal agency said the operation was coordinated through its International Police Cooperation Unit in collaboration with the National Central Bureau in Abu Dhabi, alongside the external affairs and home ministries. Such operations typically involve diplomatic engagement and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in both countries before a wanted individual can be returned to India.
Indian authorities have increasingly relied on Interpol mechanisms and bilateral cooperation with foreign governments to locate and return fugitives accused in financial crimes, narcotics offences and other criminal cases. The CBI has previously stated that more than 150 wanted criminals have been brought back to India in recent years through coordinated efforts using Interpol channels.
The CBI said the investigation into the alleged investment fraud remains ongoing. Pune Police are continuing to examine the financial transactions linked to the case and pursue legal action against those accused in accordance with Indian law.
