ED seeks extradition of govt official from UAE

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will submit an extradition request to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within a week for bringing back allegedly tainted former deputy collector Nitish Thakur to India. Thakur, who was on the run since 2013 in connection with disproportionate assets and money laundering cases, was apprehended from Dubai on January 21. The extradition request will be filed via Interpol, officials said. 

The ED had issued a lookout notice against him after he continued to dodge the agency despite several summons. As the accused was at large, the trial was also stalled. “He couldn’t be tried in absentia. We will question him on the fund’s utilisation and on how he managed to flee,” said a senior ED officer. 

During in, the ED had arrested his brother Nilesh for aiding and abetting the tainted public servant. He was however released on bail later. 

The slush money was used to buy properties that were registered in the name of Thakur’s mother and wife. While the quantum of corruption is stated to be around Rs 200 crores, the ED officials said that they had already attached Thakur’s properties to the tune of Rs 120 crore.

The attached properties are located in Mumbai, Alibaug and other extended suburbs of the metropolis. The ED will produce Thakur before a local court and seek his custody following his extradition.

Thakur has been on the run since 2013.