From Interpol to Bangkok Police on His Trail, MP Police Nab Him in Chennai; Manivannan to Be Extradited to Thailand

Bhopal: In a landmark development in the fight against wildlife crime, the Madhya Pradesh Special Tiger Strike Force (MPSTSF) has secured the extradition of international turtle smuggler Murugesan Manivannan to Thailand — the first such case in the history of environmental अपराध. The Delhi-based Patiala House Court has formally recommended his extradition to the Central Government, clearing the way for him to face trial in Thailand.

Manivannan, a fugitive wanted by Thai authorities, was arrested by MPSTSF in Chennai on January 31, 2018, for allegedly smuggling endangered red-crowned roofed turtles from Morena district and selling them in the international black market. His bail pleas were rejected by multiple courts, including the Supreme Court.

Court Clears Extradition Request
In its order dated January 6, 2026, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Pranav Joshi of the Patiala House Court accepted Thailand’s extradition request, holding that a prima facie case had been established against Manivannan. The court noted that a separate extradition inquiry report had been prepared and, based on the material on record, recommended that the Government of India extradite him to Thailand to face trial in Criminal Case No. 345/2555.

To Remain in Tihar Jail Till Extradition
Until the extradition formalities are completed, the court directed that Manivannan remain in judicial custody at Tihar Jail. The jail superintendent has been instructed to produce him before the duty magistrate every 14 days via video conferencing. The court also ordered that a copy of the extradition inquiry report be sent to the Under Secretary (Extradition), Ministry of External Affairs, and another free copy be provided to the accused.

Interpol, ED, and International Agencies Involved
Officials confirmed that this is the first case of an accused being extradited in an environmental crime matter. Thailand had formally sought Manivannan’s extradition in January 2021. During a Supreme Court hearing, the MP Special Task Force–Wildlife produced a letter from Thai authorities confirming that a criminal case was registered against Manivannan and that extradition proceedings had been initiated. Earlier, Thailand’s Airport Police had issued an international arrest warrant against him, and Interpol had also been tracking his movements.

The MPSTSF had further approached the Enforcement Directorate (ED) headquarters in Mumbai to investigate Manivannan and three other suspects — Ajay Singh (arrested from Agra) and Mohammad Irfan and Samim Ansari (both from Kolkata) — in a money laundering case linked to illegal turtle trafficking.

In July 2020, Interpol convened a coordination meeting with MPSTSF and officials from Thailand and Dhaka to crack down on the illegal turtle trade network operating across South and Southeast Asia.

A Historic Step Against Wildlife Trafficking
Authorities described the case as a watershed moment in global cooperation against wildlife trafficking, marking the first time an accused in an environmental crime has been ordered to be extradited from India.