The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully secured the extradition of Sajeer Palli Mooppam, an accused wanted in a Delhi sexual assault case, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He was brought back to India on November 4 following coordinated efforts involving Indian and UAE authorities.
Mooppam was wanted in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a 20-year-old woman. According to investigators, the incident took place in October 2025 after an employee birthday gathering at a lounge in Delhi's Punjabi Bagh area.
The investigation revealed that the accused, allegedly acting with an accomplice, forcibly administered an intoxicating substance to the woman, leaving her incapacitated. He then allegedly took her to a hotel in Karol Bagh, where he checked in using identity documents belonging to a third person in an attempt to conceal his identity. The woman was subsequently subjected to non-consensual sexual assault, investigators alleged.
Medical examinations and forensic reports reportedly corroborated the allegations. A comprehensive chargesheet has already been filed before the competent court in connection with the case.
Following the registration of the case, Delhi Police launched an investigation to trace the accused. However, Mooppam had allegedly left India and travelled to the UAE in January 2026. Acting on a request from Delhi Police, the CBI initiated international action through INTERPOL channels and secured the publication of a Red Notice against him.
The Red Notice helped authorities trace his location in the UAE. Subsequently, UAE authorities located and arrested him following a request from India's National Central Bureau in New Delhi.
The extradition was facilitated through coordination between the CBI, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi Police and the UAE authorities. After completing the necessary legal formalities, the UAE authorities handed over the accused to a Delhi Police escort team.
The police team travelled to the UAE and brought Mooppam back to New Delhi on November 4. He will now face further legal proceedings in India.
The development highlights India's growing cooperation with international law enforcement agencies in tracking down fugitives who leave the country to evade criminal proceedings.
The CBI also stated that more than 278 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India since 2019 through coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies. As India's National Central Bureau for INTERPOL, the agency also coordinates with domestic law enforcement authorities through the BHARATPOL platform.
The latest extradition marks another significant step in India's efforts to ensure that accused persons wanted in serious criminal cases are brought back to face the legal process.
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