How Did the CBI Secure the Return of Fugitive Mainpal Dhilla from Cambodia?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Effective collaboration is crucial for international law enforcement.
- Red Notices help in tracking and extraditing fugitives globally.
- Over 100 criminals have been returned to India via INTERPOL recently.
- Fugitive Mainpal Dhilla was apprehended in Cambodia.
- Law enforcement agencies must work together to ensure justice.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in partnership with Haryana Police, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs, has effectively orchestrated the return of wanted fugitive Mainpal Dhilla, also known as Sonu Kumar, from Cambodia on September 2, 2025.
Mainpal Dhilla, who is also referred to as Mainpal Badli, is a well-known criminal that Haryana Police seeks for multiple offenses.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for charges including murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and criminal conspiracy on March 29, 2013, related to FIR No. 276 from September 26, 2007, filed at Police Station Sadar Bahadurgarh.
Additionally, he has been convicted in two other cases. While incarcerated, he was released on a six-week parole from Hisar Central Jail on July 17, 2018.
The CBI stated, “He was supposed to return to jail by August 29, 2018, but failed to do so and went into hiding.”
As per the CBI, a Red Notice was issued for Mainpal Dhilla through INTERPOL on November 11, 2024, initiated by Haryana Police. CBI reached out to NCB Bangkok, which confirmed his travel from Thailand to Cambodia.
Following this, CBI coordinated with Cambodian authorities and learned that he had entered the country using a fraudulent passport under the alias Sonu Kumar.
A request for provisional arrest was sent to NCB-Phnom Penh, Cambodia, via INTERPOL channels on March 26, 2025. NCB-Phnom Penh announced his arrest on July 24, 2025, and requested an extradition through diplomatic means.
Later, Cambodian authorities confirmed their decision to hand him over to Indian officials. Consequently, a team from Haryana Police traveled to Cambodia and successfully returned Mainpal Dhilla on September 2, 2025. Red Notices from INTERPOL are disseminated to law enforcement agencies worldwide to track wanted criminals.
As the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, the CBI collaborates with all Indian law enforcement through BHARATPOL for INTERPOL support.
Notably, over 100 wanted criminals have been repatriated to India in recent years through INTERPOL's coordination efforts.