The alleged mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Tahawwur Rana, has been extradited from the United States to India following the U.S. Supreme Court’s dismissal of his final legal appeal. Upon arrival, he was taken into custody by Indian authorities in New Delhi.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier revealed that, as of 2024, the country has filed 178 extradition requests with various nations since January 1, 2019—many of which pertain to individuals involved in terrorism. Of these, 23 fugitives have been successfully brought back to India.
With Rana now in custody, Indian authorities are intensifying efforts to secure the extradition of other high-profile fugitives wanted for serious criminal activities ranging from terrorism to financial fraud. Here are five individuals at the top of that list:
1. Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar
Operating from Canada, Goldy Brar is believed to be directing the international operations of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He’s also associated with the banned Khalistani outfit, Babbar Khalsa International. Brar is accused of orchestrating the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and is wanted for several violent crimes. A Red Corner Notice was issued against him in June 2022. He is listed among Canada’s top 25 most-wanted criminals and has been designated a terrorist under India’s UAPA. Indian agencies are actively pursuing his extradition in collaboration with Canadian authorities.
2. Anmol Bishnoi
Anmol, the younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, allegedly played a key logistical role in Moosewala’s murder and other high-profile crimes, including a recent political assassination and a shooting near a Bollywood celebrity’s residence. The NIA has linked him to two of its cases and offered a Rs 10 lakh reward for leads on his whereabouts. Though he was apprehended in the U.S. in late 2024 for entering with forged documents, he sought asylum through legal channels. The Indian government has provided documentation to U.S. authorities to facilitate his return.
3. Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla
Once a small-time gangster from Punjab’s Moga district, Dalla rose to prominence after assuming leadership of the Khalistan Tiger Force following the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He is wanted for over 50 serious crimes, including terrorism financing, murder, and extortion. India declared him a terrorist in 2023 and requested his arrest from Canadian authorities. In November 2024, he was injured in an attack in Halton, Canada, and detained thereafter. His extradition process is currently underway.
4. Sourabh Chandrakar
Accused of running the massive Mahadev online betting scam, Chandrakar came into the spotlight for splurging nearly Rs 200 crore on a wedding in the UAE, complete with celebrity appearances and private jets. He is facing charges of money laundering and is in the custody of UAE authorities after a Red Corner Notice was issued by the Enforcement Directorate. The Indian government is finalizing extradition documents to bring him back for trial.
5. Sanjay Bhandari
A fugitive businessman, Bhandari is wanted for evading Indian taxes on undisclosed foreign assets and income worth Rs 665 crore. He is also under investigation for money laundering. Living in London since 2016, Bhandari’s extradition was approved by UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman in 2023. However, in a setback for Indian authorities, the UK High Court recently blocked further appeals in the case, delaying his return.
With Rana’s return marking a diplomatic win for India, officials are now ramping up pressure on foreign governments to hand over these remaining fugitives and bring them to justice.
