NIA Arrests Absconding Accused in Sri Lanka Human Trafficking Case at Bengaluru Airport

Bengaluru, November 14 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Pudumadam Imran (A-15), an absconding accused in the Sri Lanka human trafficking case, at Bengaluru International Airport. He was detained following a Red Notice issued by INTERPOL at the request of the NIA and was repatriated to India by Sri Lankan authorities before being taken into custody by the agency.

 

Image Source : European parliament

  

According to the NIA, Imran was actively involved in the conspiracy to traffic Sri Lankan nationals by falsely promising to take them to Canada using valid travel documents. He allegedly collected money from the victims' family members and relatives on the pretext of arranging their travel.

 

The investigation further revealed that Imran transferred money through hawala channels to co-accused persons in India to facilitate the trafficking and confinement of the victims.

 

The case originated after local police conducted raids at multiple premises in Mangaluru, Karnataka, based on credible information about the presence of Sri Lankan nationals staying without valid documents. Following the operation, a case was registered under Crime No. 103/2021 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Foreigners Act and the Passport Act.

 

 

 

On July 13, 2021, the NIA re-registered the case as RC-17/2021/NIA/DLI, invoking Sections 120B, 370 and 420 of the IPC, Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and Section 12(1A) of the Passport Act.

 

Earlier, two other absconding accused in the case, Seeni Aabul Khan (A-9) and Imran Khan (A-7), were arrested in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Both are currently facing trial before the Special Court for Trial of NIA Cases in Bengaluru.