New Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday coordinated the return of two wanted fugitives from abroad, bringing back Haryana-based gangster Venkatesh Garg from Georgia and securing the deportation of alleged cybercrime kingpin Ganesh Balaso Kale from Thailand.Garg, wanted in dozens of cases of murder and extortion in several states, was detained last year and sent to India now after Georgian authorities approved Indian law enforcement’s request following months of legal proceedings. TOI reported on Thursday that he had been extradited.Garg had fled India to evade trial in a case of murder of a BSP functionary in Haryana. A Red Notice was issued against him through Interpol at the request of Haryana Police. After he was geolocated and arrested by Georgian authorities last Nov, India initiated extradition proceedings. An escort team from Haryana Police travelled to Georgia to take custody of the accused and returned with him to Delhi on Thursday.In a separate operation, CBI secured the deportation of Ganesh Balaso Kale from Thailand on June 10. Kale is accused of being the mastermind of a cyber fraud network that targeted victims through fake online part-time job offers.According to investigators, victims were lured with promises of easy earnings through online assignments and were persuaded to make deposits as investments. Once the money was transferred, they were allegedly defrauded. The accused is also alleged to have operated a network of cyber financial criminals by recruiting unsuspecting individuals and offering them commissions in exchange for allowing the use of their bank accounts.These accounts were then allegedly used to route and conceal proceeds of cyber fraud. Investigators further alleged that Kale directed associates to arrange mobile phones and procure fake SIM cards to facilitate the offences.Following the publication of an Interpol Red Notice in May 2026, Kale was traced and detained by Thai authorities in Bangkok on May 24. After coordination between Indian and Thai authorities and completion of legal formalities, he was deported to India and arrived in Mumbai on June 11, where he was taken into custody by Maharashtra Police’s Cyber Cell.CBI officials highlighted that Kale’s return was secured within about 20 days of the issuance of the Red Notice. The agency, which serves as India’s National Central Bureau for Interpol, said more than 160 wanted fugitives have been brought back to the country in recent years through coordinated efforts involving domestic and international law enforcement agencies.
