India’s National Investigation Agency has arrested Pudumadam Imran, a fugitive wanted in a Sri Lanka-linked human trafficking case, after Sri Lankan authorities deported him to Bengaluru.
Imran was taken into custody at Kempegowda International Airport on Thursday after being repatriated to India. Sri Lankan authorities had earlier detained him acting on an Interpol red notice issued at the request of the agency.
The case came to light when police raided a premises in Mangaluru and found Sri Lankan nationals living there without valid documents. The discovery led investigators to uncover what they describe as a wider conspiracy to move Sri Lankans to Canada.
According to the agency, the victims were falsely promised that their travel would be arranged with valid documents. Imran is alleged to have taken money from the victims’ relatives and sent the funds through hawala channels to co-accused in India.
Two other suspects have already been arrested in the case. Seeni Aabul Khan was detained in 2024 and Imran Khan in 2025, which means Imran is the latest accused to be brought into custody.
