A Newsweek report has put the spotlight on the challenges authorities face in pursuing several fugitives wanted in India who are alleged to be running criminal networks from the United States and Canada.
The report centres on a specific set of wanted fugitives and organised crime syndicates facing criminal cases in India. It examines how authorities in India, the United States and Canada are increasingly working together to investigate cross-border criminal activity, while dealing with legal hurdles surrounding extradition, asylum claims and international law enforcement procedures.
According to Newsweek, some fugitives linked to organised crime groups allegedly entered North America through student visas, asylum claims and illegal immigration routes before establishing themselves abroad.
Citing a former US Department of Homeland Security official, the publication said some of these individuals viewed the United States and Canada as locations from where they could allegedly continue directing criminal activities targeting people in India. The report noted that extradition proceedings, asylum protections and legal processes can often take years, creating challenges for enforcement agencies seeking their return.
Newsweek reported that investigators have increasingly focused on how criminal groups use encrypted communication platforms, cryptocurrency transactions and overseas associates to coordinate operations across jurisdictions.
Authorities in three countries tracking the same networks
The report said law enforcement agencies in India, the United States and Canada have described some of these groups as transnational criminal organisations because of their alleged activities across multiple countries.
According to Newsweek, the FBI has described one such network as among India’s most wanted criminal enterprises, while the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has referred to it as a transnational criminal organisation. Indian agencies have similarly described certain syndicates as operating across borders.
The publication said its findings were based on federal indictments, Interpol notices, filings by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), statements from Indian state police agencies, Canadian government records and information gathered from sources involved in fugitive investigations.
Newsweek also noted that the individuals named in its report have been linked to public charges, law enforcement actions or formal designations, and that all allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
Several wanted fugitives named
Among those mentioned in the report are Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, Arsh Dala, Bhanu Rana, Arvind Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Charanjit Singh and Darmanjot Singh.
According to the report, these individuals face a range of cases in India, including allegations related to murder, extortion, narcotics smuggling and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Newsweek reported that investigators believe criminal networks increasingly rely on encrypted messaging services, cryptocurrency transfers and overseas handlers to maintain communication while distancing senior figures from day-to-day operations.
Digital communication changing crime investigations
Speaking to Newsweek, Haryana Special Task Force Inspector General B Satheesh Balan said technology has changed how criminal networks function.
“A gangster no longer needs to physically be present in Haryana to order an extortion, a shooting, or an intimidation attack,” Balan told the publication.
He described the model as “a hybrid model combining overseas command, digital anonymity, local execution, and psychological warfare.”
The report said investigators have observed criminal networks adapting to new technologies and communication channels, making cross-border investigations increasingly complex.
Extradition remains a key challenge
Newsweek said India has repeatedly sought the extradition of several fugitives believed to be residing in the United States and Canada. However, legal processes and procedural safeguards in foreign jurisdictions have often slowed deportation and extradition proceedings.
According to the report, US authorities have acknowledged increased cooperation with Indian agencies on organised crime and narcotics-related investigations. At the same time, officials maintain that asylum protections, court proceedings and Interpol-related procedures can lengthen enforcement timelines.
The report concludes that investigators in multiple countries are increasingly treating such cases as transnational law-enforcement challenges that require cooperation across jurisdictions rather than action by any single agency alone.