Fraud Alert
CBI-Led Operations Arrest Two Fugitives Wanted in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat
New Delhi : In a coordinated operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) facilitated the arrest of two fugitives facing Interpol Red Notices, wanted in separate fraud cases in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. The fugitives were apprehended upon their return from the United States and Thailand on Wednesday, officials confirmed.
Ponzi Scheme Operator Arrested in Kolkata
Janarthanan Sundaram, accused of orchestrating a Rs 87 crore ponzi scheme, was deported from Bangkok to India and taken into custody by Tamil Nadu Police at Kolkata airport. Sundaram was wanted by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Tamil Nadu Police for multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, and violations under the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019.
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Upon Tamil Nadu Police’s request, the CBI secured an Interpol Red Notice against Sundaram on June 21, 2023. He had traveled to Bangkok on January 28, 2025, but was denied entry due to the Red Notice. The CBI, as India’s nodal agency for Interpol affairs, coordinated with the Indian Embassy in Bangkok and Kolkata airport authorities to facilitate his return. On arrival at Kolkata airport, Sundaram was detained and later handed over to the Tamil Nadu Police team, which had arrived from Chennai to take him into custody.
Bank Fraud Accused Apprehended in Gujarat After 20 Years
In a separate operation, the CBI’s Global Operations Centre, working closely with Gujarat Police and immigration authorities, ensured the arrest of Virendrabhai Manibhai Patel, wanted in a Rs 77 crore bank fraud case for over two decades. Patel, director of Charotar Nagrik Sahakari Bank, Anand, was wanted since 2002 in a case of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him on March 3, 2004. On January 29, 2025, Patel was detected at Ahmedabad airport upon arrival from the United States. He was detained and later handed over to the Gujarat Police team, which was present at the airport to take him into custody.
These arrests mark a significant success for the CBI in tracking and bringing back fugitives wanted for financial crimes in India.
