The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Jalil Miah of Tripura, a “key conspirator” in a case linked to the trafficking of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas through the north-eastern borders.

NIA declared a cash reward of ₹1 lakh in February for information leading to the arrest of Jalil, who had been absconding in the case, and nine others.

Altogether 33 persons were arrested earlier in the case (RC-01/2023/NIA-GUW), which NIA had taken over from Special Task Force (STF), that had originally registered an FIR on 22nd March 2023 under various sections of IPC and Passport Act 1967,
an NIA statement said on Tuesday.

The agency has so far chargesheeted 24 accused.

Investigations have revealed that Jalil was one of the “main conspirators” in the human trafficking racket, the agency said.

Though Jalil had managed to escape during the initial operation on November 8, 2023, in which 29 accused were arrested, electronic devices and other incriminating documents seized from his residence had “pointed to his complicity”.

Pan India searches conducted by NIA in November 2023 had led to the seizure of incriminating data, including digital devices, along with foreign currency (Bangladeshi taka and US dollar), Aadhaar cards and PAN cards, the agency said.