National Investigation Agency emblem. Image: @NIA_India/X
Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Pudumadam Imran at Bengaluru International Airport on November 13 after Sri Lankan authorities returned him to India. Imran, listed as accused No. 15 in a human trafficking case involving Sri Lankan nationals, had been evading arrest, the agency said.
Sri Lankan authorities had detained him on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the NIA’s request. The agency took him into custody at the airport after his repatriation.
The NIA alleges that Imran helped lure Sri Lankan nationals with false promises of arranging travel to Canada with valid documents. Investigators say he collected money from their relatives and transferred it through hawala channels to co-accused in India to finance the trafficking and confinement of the victims.
The case dates back to 2021, when Karnataka Police raided guesthouses in Mangaluru and found Sri Lankan nationals staying without valid documents. The NIA took over the investigation on July 13, 2021, and re-registered it as RC-17/2021/NIA/DLI. The case covers allegations of criminal conspiracy, trafficking and cheating, along with offences under the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.
Two other accused, Seeni Aabul Khan and Imran Khan, were arrested in 2024 and 2025 respectively, the agency said. Both are facing trial before the special NIA court in Bengaluru.
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