In a significant law enforcement achievement, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two long-standing fugitives who had been evading capture for over a decade in separate high-profile fraud cases. The arrests mark a major success for the agency, which relied on a combination of traditional investigative methods and modern digital tracking techniques to apprehend the absconders.

The first fugitive, Tamanna Chakma, also known as Tamie May, was arrested by the CBI’s Shillong unit on Saturday in Guwahati, Assam, after evading authorities for more than ten years. Chakma had been convicted, along with 22 others, on May 17, 2024, in a 14-year-old case involving alleged misappropriation of compensation bills related to NPCC Ltd, Silchar (Assam). The case originally included then-zonal manager U.P. Mishra and five others as accused, following a formal complaint and subsequent investigation. The trial itself lasted nearly 12 years, during which Chakma repeatedly failed to appear in court.

A CBI spokesperson stated that, “During the trial proceedings, Chakma failed to appear before the trial court, and therefore, an arrest warrant was issued. Persistent and sustained efforts were made to trace the accused during the course of the trial; however, she remained untraceable.” Even after the court delivered its judgment convicting her and others, Chakma continued to abscond, avoiding legal accountability for over a decade.

Chakma’s eventual arrest was the result of meticulous intelligence work by the CBI. Field verification, physical surveillance, and detailed analysis of Call Data Records (CDR) were combined to pinpoint her location in Geeta Nagar, Guwahati. This multi-pronged approach ensured that the fugitive could be apprehended without further delay, highlighting the agency’s growing capacity to track absconders even after prolonged periods.

The second fugitive, Tapan Pramanik, was arrested on Sunday in West Bengal’s Nadia district. Pramanik had been a proclaimed offender in a Tripura chit fund fraud case for 13 years. He is the director of MPS Agro-Animal Projects Ltd, which, along with other entities, came under CBI scrutiny on October 8, 2013. The case alleged that the accused, through agents, fraudulently collected sums ranging between ₹3 and ₹4 crore from the public under the pretext of legitimate investment, only to misappropriate the funds.

The investigation into Pramanik and his associates involved detailed scrutiny over several years. The CBI filed its first charge sheet on October 13, 2015, and a supplementary charge sheet on May 31, 2019, which formally named Pramanik and others. However, Pramanik did not cooperate with the investigation and remained an absconder. A court-issued arrest warrant could not be executed at the time due to his persistent evasion, and he was eventually declared a proclaimed offender on January 16, 2023.

Similar to the operation that led to Chakma’s arrest, the CBI employed a combination of digital and field-based investigative tools to locate Pramanik. “CBI officers tracked him via digital footprints, field verification, physical surveillance, and CDR analysis before arresting him in West Bengal’s Nadia district,” the agency stated. The use of technology alongside conventional intelligence gathering underscores how law enforcement agencies are increasingly leveraging digital records and telecommunications data to solve long-standing cases.

Both arrests reflect not only the persistent efforts of the CBI but also the complexities involved in tracking fugitives in India. In many cases, absconders exploit jurisdictional boundaries, limited information sharing between agencies, and lapses in field verification to evade capture for extended periods. The recent successes demonstrate that, with sustained effort and integration of modern technology, even long-term fugitives can be brought to justice.

The implications of these arrests extend beyond individual accountability. Cases like those involving Chakma and Pramanik erode public trust when offenders remain free for years despite clear evidence and court orders. By apprehending these absconders, the CBI sends a strong message about the inevitability of legal consequences for financial crimes, particularly those involving public funds or large-scale fraud.

Legal experts have noted that the arrests could accelerate the judicial process in both cases. In Chakma’s matter, her prolonged absence from court had delayed the execution of the sentence and complicated enforcement of restitution or penalties. With her in custody, the court can now proceed to implement the judgment, potentially recovering misappropriated funds or enforcing punitive measures against the convicted. Similarly, Pramanik’s arrest opens the way for finalizing proceedings in the Tripura chit fund case, which had remained unresolved for more than a decade.

The cases also highlight the importance of inter-state coordination and modern investigative methods. Chakma’s arrest in Assam and Pramanik’s apprehension in West Bengal involved cross-jurisdictional operations that required collaboration between local police authorities and CBI units. Such operations are challenging due to logistical, legal, and bureaucratic hurdles, yet the successful arrests indicate that sustained coordination and intelligence sharing can overcome these obstacles.

Furthermore, the use of CDR analysis in both cases reflects the evolving nature of criminal investigations in India. Call Data Records provide crucial information about suspects’ locations, patterns of movement, and potential associates, which can be instrumental in cases where physical surveillance alone is insufficient. By combining traditional fieldwork with digital forensics, the CBI has demonstrated a more comprehensive and modern approach to fugitive apprehension.

Public reaction to the arrests has been largely positive, with observers noting that these operations reinforce faith in the rule of law and the effectiveness of investigative agencies. In an era where financial frauds and misappropriation cases often take years to resolve, the apprehension of long-term fugitives offers a sense of accountability and deterrence. Analysts have emphasized that prompt action in such high-profile cases not only restores public confidence but also deters potential offenders from attempting similar evasions.

In conclusion, the recent arrests of Tamanna Chakma and Tapan Pramanik by the CBI mark a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to enforce accountability in high-profile financial frauds. Both fugitives had evaded capture for more than a decade, creating legal and investigative challenges, yet persistent fieldwork, digital surveillance, and coordinated inter-state efforts ensured their apprehension.

These operations underscore the growing effectiveness of modern investigative methods, particularly when combined with traditional field verification and physical surveillance. With both fugitives now in custody, the legal process can move forward, offering closure in cases that have remained unresolved for over a decade. The arrests also send a clear message to potential offenders that time alone will not shield them from legal consequences, reinforcing the principle that evasion cannot indefinitely delay justice.

The CBI’s success in these cases highlights the evolving capabilities of India’s investigative agencies, the necessity of integrating technology in long-term investigations, and the critical importance of sustained vigilance in pursuing financial criminals who seek to exploit gaps in enforcement.