New Delhi – The Central Bureau of Investigation achieved a significant milestone when CBI nabs fugitives in two separate high-profile fraud cases after more than a decade of intensive pursuit. The agency arrested two proclaimed offenders who had successfully evaded capture for over ten years through sophisticated evasion tactics and careful concealment.
The CBI nabs fugitives operation demonstrates the agency’s persistent commitment to bringing criminals to justice, regardless of how long they manage to evade arrest. Both individuals were wanted in serious fraud cases involving misappropriation of public funds and compensation bills.
First Arrest: Tamanna Chakma Case
In the first major development where CBI nabs fugitives, the agency arrested Tamanna Chakma, also known as Tamie May, who was convicted along with 22 others on May 17, 2024, in a 14-year-old case involving alleged misappropriation of compensation bills.
The case in which CBI nabs fugitives originated from a complaint against the then zonal manager of NPCC Ltd, Silchar in Assam, identified as UP Mishra, and five other individuals. The agency had registered the case and conducted a trial that lasted nearly 12 years before reaching a conviction.
Chakma’s Evasion Tactics
According to the CBI spokesperson, Chakma failed to appear before the trial court during proceedings, prompting the court to issue an arrest warrant. Despite persistent and sustained efforts to trace the accused during the trial, she remained untraceable for an extended period.
The CBI nabs fugitives case became more complicated when Chakma also skipped court appearances after the judgment was delivered. Her ability to evade authorities for such an extended period highlighted the challenges faced by investigating agencies in tracking down determined fugitives.
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Sophisticated Investigation Methods
The success in this CBI nabs fugitives operation came through the CBI’s Shillong team, which employed multiple sophisticated investigation techniques. The team detained Chakma on Saturday in the Geeta Nagar police station area of Guwahati, Assam, utilizing advanced tracking methods.
The CBI nabs fugitives breakthrough was achieved through a combination of field verification, physical surveillance, and thorough Call Detail Record (CDR) analysis. These modern investigative tools proved crucial in locating and apprehending the elusive fugitive after years of unsuccessful attempts.
Second Arrest: Tripura Chit Fund Case
In the second instance where CBI nabs fugitives, officers arrested Tapan Pramanik on Sunday. Pramanik had been wanted for 13 years in connection with the notorious Tripura chit fund case, which defrauded numerous investors.
Pramanik served as director of MPS Agro-Animal Projects Ltd and came under CBI nabs fugitives scrutiny on October 8, 2013, along with other associates. The case involved serious allegations of fraudulent collection of public funds under false pretenses.
Details of the Chit Fund Fraud
According to the CBI spokesperson, in the case where CBI nabs fugitives Pramanik and others, the accused persons fraudulently and dishonestly collected huge amounts ranging from ₹3 to 4 crore from the public. The fraud was perpetrated through agents who solicited investments on the pretext of profitable returns.
The CBI nabs fugitives case revealed that the accused misappropriated the collected funds instead of investing them as promised to the public. This massive fraud affected numerous innocent investors who lost their hard-earned savings to the fraudulent scheme.
Legal Proceedings and Charge Sheets
The CBI nabs fugitives case progressed through multiple legal stages despite Pramanik’s absence. The CBI filed the first charge sheet on October 13, 2015, followed by a supplementary charge sheet on May 31, 2019, naming Pramanik and other accused individuals.
Pramanik did not join the investigation despite repeated summons, forcing the CBI nabs fugitives team to file a charge sheet against him as an absconder. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued by the court, but tracking him proved extremely challenging.
Proclaimed Offender Declaration
The court declared Pramanik a proclaimed offender on January 16, 2023, in the CBI nabs fugitives case, emphasizing the seriousness of his evasion and the necessity of his arrest. This declaration increased the legal consequences he would face upon capture.
Advanced Tracking Techniques
The success in this CBI nabs fugitives operation came through sophisticated digital tracking methods. CBI officers traced Pramanik through digital footprints, comprehensive field verification, physical surveillance, and detailed CDR analysis before finally arresting him in West Bengal’s Nadia district.
The CBI nabs fugitives breakthrough demonstrates how modern investigative techniques, when combined with traditional surveillance methods, can successfully locate even the most elusive criminals. The digital footprint analysis proved particularly valuable in tracking movements and establishing patterns.
Significance of Dual Arrests
These twin successes where CBI nabs fugitives send a strong message to other absconding criminals that no matter how long they evade justice, determined investigation and modern technology will eventually bring them to account. The arrests occurred in different states, showcasing the CBI’s pan-India operational capability.
Investigation Team Coordination
Both arrests resulted from excellent coordination between different CBI units and local law enforcement agencies. The Shillong team’s success in Guwahati and the team’s achievement in Nadia district demonstrate effective inter-state cooperation in tracking fugitives.
Legal Consequences Ahead
With both fugitives now in custody, they face serious legal consequences for their original crimes as well as additional charges related to evading arrest and skipping court proceedings. The cases will now proceed through the judicial system with the accused finally present to face trial.
Message to Other Fugitives
The successful operations send a clear deterrent message that prolonged evasion only delays but cannot prevent justice. The CBI’s unwavering commitment to pursuing fugitives, regardless of time elapsed, reinforces public confidence in the criminal justice system and demonstrates that sophisticated investigation techniques will ultimately prevail over evasion tactics.
