In a coordinated effort, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Jharkhand Police successfully secured the extradition of fugitive Sunil Kumar, also known as Mayank Singh and Sunil Meena, from Azerbaijan.
Wanted in multiple extortion cases, he was returned to India on Saturday after being tracked via INTERPOL.
Kumar, accused of collaborating with the Aman Sahu gang and maintaining connections with Lawrence Bishnoi&rsquo;s network, faces more than 50 criminal cases across Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, and other states.
Investigators claim he threatened coal transporters, railway contractors, and businessmen through WhatsApp to demand money, continuing his operations even while abroad.
A Red Notice was issued against him by INTERPOL on October 10, 2024, at the request of Jharkhand Police. He was located in Azerbaijan&rsquo;s Datu region, prompting an extradition request submitted to the Azerbaijani authorities in January 2025 via diplomatic channels.
On August 19, a three-member team from Jharkhand Police traveled to Baku to complete the formalities with Azerbaijani officials. The accused was handed over and flown to Mumbai&rsquo;s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, where he arrived with the team on August 23. He is scheduled to be produced in the Ramgarh court, where authorities will seek his custody for interrogation.
&ldquo;This marks the first successful extradition in the history of Jharkhand Police, and we are confident that other offenders abroad will also be brought back soon,&rdquo; ATS Superintendent of Police Rishav Kumar Jha told a news agency.
He added, &ldquo;Initial inquiry suggests that he served as a link between Aman Sahu and Lawrence Bishnoi. Further questioning will reveal the nature of cooperation between the two gangs, including their activities from prison.&rdquo;
The CBI confirmed that its International Police Cooperation Unit, working alongside the National Central Bureau in Baku, facilitated the extradition. Officials highlighted that the agency, acting as India&rsquo;s National Central Bureau for INTERPOL, has coordinated the return of over 100 fugitives in recent years.
India has previously secured extraditions from Azerbaijan, including that of Sanjeev Kumar, also known as Harsh, who was brought back from Baku in 2024.

Gangster Sunil Kumar Returned in CBI-ATS Operation

Sunil Kumar, linked to the Sahu and Bishnoi gangs, was extradited to India from Baku

Gangster Sunil Kumar Returned in CBI-ATS Operation

Sunil Kumar, linked to the Sahu and Bishnoi gangs, was extradited to India from Baku

August 23, 2025 | 19:20 IST