
AHMEDABAD: After over two decades on the run, fugitive banker Virendrabhai Patel was finally brought back to India, a significant victory for international law enforcement.
The former bank director, accused of a Rs 77-crore fraud, landed at Ahmedabad airport on January 29, 2025. Authorities immediately took him into custody. Patel and his associates allegedly orchestrated the massive financial fraud at Charotar Nagrik Sahakari Bank in Anand in 2002.
Facing charges of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy, he fled the country, prompting the CBI to secure an INTERPOL Red Notice against him in 2004. Despite this, he evaded capture in the United States for nearly 20 years. The CBI, in collaboration with Gujarat Police and immigration officials, ensured Patel’s seamless transfer into custody.
As Indian authorities expand their global efforts, more financial fugitives are finding that no place is beyond the reach of the law. Since 2021, INTERPOL coordination has helped return over 100 fugitives to India.
In 2018, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Gen VK Singh, told the Rajya Sabha in March 2018 that 23 economic fugitives were yet to be extradited to India since 2014.
The minister submitted the list of the fugitives, including Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi, Jatin Mehta, Ashish Jobanputra, Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara, and Diptiben Chetankumar Sandesara.
By 2021, the figure rose to 33 against whom the CBI had registered cases of economic fraud. The Centre told the Rajya Sabha that as of December 10, 2021, properties of fugitives worth Rs 47.099 crore had been attached and prosecution cases had been filed in 115 cases.
Genesis of fraud
Virendrabhai Patel and aides accused of Rs 77cr fraud at Charotar Nagrik Sahakari Bank in Anand in 2002
Charges include criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy
CBI secured INTERPOL Red Notice in 2004; Evaded capture in US for 20 yrs
Since 2021, INTERPOL has helped return over 100 fugitives; 23 economic fugitives yet to be extradited since 2014
As of December 10, 2021, properties of fugitives worth Rs 47.099 crore attached and prosecution cases filed in 115 cases
Prominent fugitives: Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi, Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara, Chetankumar Sandesara etc