Wildlife smuggling accused arrested, ordered deported back:Delhi court approves Thailand deportation; Murugesan linked to wildlife crimes across 7 countries

Wildlife criminal Mannivannan Murugesan, arrested for turtle smuggling, will be sent to Thailand. Murugesan, a resident of Singapore, has his illegal trade spread across India, Thailand, Malaysia, Macau, Hong Kong, China, and Madagascar, including Singapore. The Patiala House Court, New Delhi, has confirmed the accused’s extradition to Thailand. Accepting the request of the Thai government, the court, after a hearing, passed an order on January 6, 2026, permitting the extradition of the smuggler criminal Murugesan to Thailand. Sensitive documents related to smuggler Murugesan were shared by the State Tiger Force of the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department at a meeting held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 23-25, 2018. This meeting was held at an international level to prevent the smuggling of turtles and aquatic wildlife. Murugesan’s name was ranked third in the world for the smuggling of rare and restricted species of turtles. Caught with 900 rare species of turtles
Murugesan was caught at Bangkok Airport on August 27, 2012, with about 900 rare species of turtles, but he managed to escape illegally at that time. Based on the STF report, Interpol had also issued a Red Notice in connection with the Thailand case. Arrested in MP for turtle smuggling
Mannivannan Murugesan was arrested for the crime of turtle smuggling and brought to Madhya Pradesh. Murugesan also has a case registered against him in Thailand for illegal wildlife trade. The Patiala House Court, New Delhi, has confirmed the accused’s extradition to Thailand. Accepting the request of the Thai government, the court passed an order on January 6, 2026, permitting Murugesan’s extradition to Thailand. Upon the request for Murugesan’s extradition from Thailand, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs, acting in accordance with the law, registered a case at the Patiala House Court, New Delhi, for investigation as per the provisions of Act-1962. Executing the warrant issued from there, the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Force presented Murugesan before the New Delhi High Court in October 2021. Concurrently, the extradition process was initiated by handing over all documents to the Ministry of External Affairs’ advocate. He was acquitted by the Sagar Court, then STF arrested him
STF had arrested Murugesan from Chennai on January 30, 2018, and presented him before the Special Court in Sagar. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, District Sagar, had convicted the accused and sentenced him to 7 years. The accused had filed an appeal against that decision. While giving its decision on the appeal, the District and Sessions Court, Sagar, had acquitted him, but the STF, taking swift action, had filed an appeal against the said decision in the High Court Jabalpur and had impounded his passport. Currently, the appeal is pending in the High Court Jabalpur. After the extradition was confirmed, by order of the Patiala House Court, New Delhi, the accused Murugesan was arrested and is currently being held in Tihar Jail, New Delhi.