CBI extradites fugitive Harnak Singh from the US after 13 years

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully extradited Harnak Singh from the United States to India. Singh had been a fugitive from investigation and trial since 2013. Following his deportation, CBI officials arrested him at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. He is expected to be presented before a Special Judicial Magistrate's court in Panchkula, Haryana.

The case involves a 2016 investigation into conspiracy, fraud, forgery, and violations of the Information Technology Act. The scheme targeted Indian citizens living or working in Singapore. Fraudsters posed as Singapore immigration officials, falsely claiming victims had provided incorrect information on disembarkation forms and threatened them with criminal prosecution or deportation. Victims were then coerced into paying settlement fees via Western Union money transfers.

Investigations revealed that the fraudulent funds were processed through money-transfer outlets operated by Singh. His co-accused, Aditya Bhardwaj and Deepak Jain, were previously convicted in the matter. Singh had fled India in May 2013 and resided illegally in the United States for over a decade while evading Interpol Red Notices and lookout circulars.