India's Most Wanted Criminals Flee To This Country And Extradition Is Nearly Impossible
Indian fugitives like Lawrence Bishnoi's shooter Jaiprakash and Manoj Sahni are escaping to Nepal due to the open border and ineffective extradition treaty, making it a safe haven
From underworld hitmen like Lawrence Bishnoi's shooter Jaiprakash and Joga Don to political mafia scions like Asad Ahmed and grizzly criminals like Manoj Sahni alias 'Tomato Killer", what binds them all is not just a shared criminal legacy, but a common escape route – Nepal.
Over the past year, Indian intelligence and state police forces have observed a concerning trend. Increasingly, high-profile Indian fugitives have been crossing over into Nepal to evade arrest, and in many cases, to continue operating their syndicates. The open 1,751-kilometre border between India and Nepal, spanning five states, has long been a conduit for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. But lately, it's being exploited as a corridor to criminal sanctuary.
For India's wanted men, Nepal offers both convenience and protection. The border can be crossed without a passport or visa, allowing criminals to melt into Nepalese towns posing as businessmen, traders, or investors. 'We cannot carry arms into Nepal, nor can we put them under technical surveillance once they're across," a senior police officer admitted, highlighting an issue with cross-border enforcement.
Nepal has particularly become a refuge for gangsters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, states that share a porous boundary with the neighbouring country. Many wanted individuals simply disappear into Nepalese cities like Birgunj, Janakpur, or even Kathmandu, where they assume new identities, obtain local SIM cards, and reestablish their networks.
From logistics to lodging, there's an underground ecosystem in Nepal that supports these men, said officials working with the border intelligence network.
Securing an extradition involves a labyrinth of paperwork, including an Interpol Red Corner Notice, followed by diplomatic clearance and local court permissions in Nepal. The bureaucratic drag, often taking months or years, means police forces rarely pursue this route unless the case is of national significance.
'Getting someone back from Nepal can be as difficult as bringing someone back from Pakistan," a retired CBI official remarked. However, he added that, unlike with Pakistan, there's no geopolitical pressure involved with Nepal.
Once in Nepal, these fugitives don't just lay low; they reboot. Many start businesses, buy property, or set up fronts through local collaborators. These ventures often double as channels for laundering money or coordinating crimes back in India.
Local criminal networks in Nepal also play a crucial role in harbouring these fugitives. From arranging fake documents to legal cover, they offer a support system robust enough to challenge law enforcement.
These fugitives find shelter, employment, even legal advice through these networks, said a senior official in the Nepal Police, speaking on condition of anonymity. The fact that they haven't committed crimes here makes it hard for us to intervene unless there's a very strong request from the Indian side, he added.
In recent years, diplomatic ties between India and Nepal have cooled, especially after disputes over border maps, political alignment, and Chinese influence in Kathmandu. This frost has had a cascading effect on operational cooperation, including law enforcement.
There was a time when Nepalese authorities swiftly handed over criminals like Dawood Ibrahim's aides or Maoist insurgents, often informally. Now, even informal handovers have dwindled, making extradition a rarity rather than a rule.
India-Nepal Border
Stretching 1,751 km, the India-Nepal border spans five states: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Uttar Pradesh alone shares 651 km, making it the most vulnerable stretch. Despite 12 main check posts and additional inter-district barriers, movement remains largely unchecked for pedestrians and private vehicles.
Even the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Sunauli and Rupaidiha, meant to modernise and secure border transit, are no match for smugglers and fugitives using unofficial paths or bribing their way through.
With the rise in cross-border criminal activity, there is growing demand for India and Nepal to revisit their extradition treaty and strengthen mutual cooperation.
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tags :
fugitive india nepal border nepal
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 03, 2025, 20:33 IST
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