Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 23: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in collaboration with the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs, successfully coordinated the return of fugitive Ritik Bajaj from the UAE on Tuesday, officials confirmed.

Ritik Bajaj, identified under Red Notice Control No. A-14700/10-2025, is wanted by Delhi Police for offences related to the smuggling and supply of narcotic substances. The CBI stated that Bajaj had fled India and was traced to the UAE through the efforts of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in New Delhi.

The agency secured a Red Notice against Bajaj through INTERPOL on October 9 at the request of Delhi Police. CBI officials coordinated with NCB Bangkok to track his movements toward the UAE and then liaised with NCB Abu Dhabi to locate him. A Delhi Police team traveled to the UAE and successfully escorted Bajaj back to India on Tuesday.

As India’s National Central Bureau for INTERPOL, the CBI works with law enforcement agencies nationwide via BHARATPOL, using INTERPOL channels to secure international assistance. Over the past few years, more than 150 wanted criminals have been repatriated to India through such coordination.

This is not the first such operation this year. In September, the CBI, along with Haryana Police, MEA, and MHA, coordinated the return of Mainpal Dhilla alias Sonu Kumar, a notorious criminal wanted in multiple cases, including murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and illegal firearm use. Dhilla had absconded while on parole in 2018. The CBI had issued a Red Notice against him through INTERPOL in November 2024 and tracked his movements from Thailand to Cambodia before arranging his return.

The successful repatriation of Ritik Bajaj highlights ongoing international cooperation between Indian agencies and INTERPOL in tackling transnational crime.