In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has successfully apprehended an absconding accused in a Sri Lankan human trafficking case. The accused, identified as 39-year-old Mohamed Imran Khan, who also goes by the name Haja Najerbheeden, had managed to evade authorities since June 2021.
The NIA, based in Bengaluru, deployed its Absconder Tracking Team (ATT) to monitor Khan’s movements over several months. This diligent effort culminated in Khan’s arrest from an undisclosed location in Tamil Nadu’s Theni District.
Investigations conducted by the NIA have revealed that Mohamed Imran Khan played a pivotal role in a more extensive conspiracy involving international human trafficking. He acted as the primary conduit responsible for transporting Sri Lankan nationals from their home country to India and subsequently to other nations.
Hailing from Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram, Khan was found to have a history of involvement in smuggling and other illicit activities in the region. He had been wanted by multiple law enforcement agencies for his role in various unlawful operations.
The case that led to Khan’s capture originated when the Mangalore South Police acted on credible intelligence. This operation resulted in the arrest of 38 Sri Lankan nationals in June 2021 who had arrived in Mangalore without valid documents.
Subsequent investigations by the NIA unveiled a complex operation in which the accused collaborated with a Sri Lankan national named Eesan, who had ties to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a banned terror organization in Sri Lanka. Together, they devised a plan to transport 38 Sri Lankan nationals from their home country to various locations within Tamil Nadu.
These individuals were lured with false promises, including the prospect of obtaining legitimate documentation for emigration to Canada and securing employment opportunities. Imran Khan, along with other co-accused, facilitated the trafficking of Sri Lankan nationals to different locations in Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
Given the international dimensions of the case, the NIA took over the investigation from local police. In October 2021, the agency filed a preliminary charge sheet against five Indian accused: Dhinakaran alias Ayya, Kasi Viswanathan, Rasool, Satham Ushen, and Abdul Muheetu. To date, a total of 13 suspects have been arraigned in the case by the NIA, emphasizing that investigations are ongoing.
The capture of Mohamed Imran Khan is a significant breakthrough in this complex human trafficking case, underlining the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat transnational criminal activities.
Sources By Agencies