NIA arrests deported accused in Sri Lanka human trafficking case at Bengaluru airport
According to the NIA, Pudumadam Imran was actively involved in a conspiracy to traffic Sri Lankan nationals by promising to facilitate their migration to Canada using valid documents
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Pudumadam Imran, a fugitive accused from the Sri Lankan human trafficking case, at Bengaluru airport on November 13, 2026, following his deportation from Sri Lanka, reported the source. Imran was apprehended by Sri Lankan authorities based on an Interpol Red Notice issued by the NIA.
Upon returning to India, an NIA team apprehended him at Kempegowda International Airport on the same day. According to the NIA, Imran was allegedly involved in a scheme to traffick Sri Lankan nationals by offering them migration to Canada through fake documents. He reportedly collected money from the victims' families and relatives, transferring the funds through hawala to co-accused in India to help with the trafficking and illegal confinement of the victims.
The case emerged in 2021 when local police conducted raids in Mangaluru, uncovering several Sri Lankan nationals without valid documents. A case was registered under various Indian penal laws, and the NIA took over the investigation in July 2021, re-registering it under specific IPC sections, the Foreigners Act, and the Passport Act.
Two other absconding accused, Seeni Aabul Khan and Imran Khan, were arrested in 2024 and 2025, respectively, and are currently facing trial at the Special Court for NIA Cases in Bengaluru.
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