Mumbai: Though a Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued by Interpol, a global police agency, at India’s request, had helped in deporting Chhota Rajan from Indonesia in November 2015, it has not been effective in bringing back several key wanted persons staying abroad. When issued, an RCN immediately globally warrants the detention of the accused. Currently, there are at least 650 RCNs pending against persons wanted by the enforcement agencies in India.
The 1993 Mumbai blasts’ masterminds, Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, and the 26/11 attacks masterminds and Pakistani nationals Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Sajid Mir, are among those who India could not lay their hands on, thanks to hostilities of the concerned countries where they are holed up. According to sources, Interpol, itself, has no coercive power that at times makes RCN a toothless tool.
“In connection with the wanted accused based in Pakistan, the country has been denying their presence in the country. In the face of such denials, the Interpol is left with only informing India about the concerned country’s version,” said a CBI officer.
In the backdrop of such RCN pendencies, the Mumbai police have recently got another RCN issued, now against gangster Suresh Pujari.
“As per the records maintained by us, Pujari’s last movement was from Karnataka to Delhi in 2011. Our intelligence revealed that Pujari travelled by road to Delhi and took a flight from there to Dubai. He managed to escape before the things could heat up and he could be nabbed like his accomplices who were a part of the shootout,” said a crime branch officer.
The Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of crime branch has been maintaining his dossier ever since with an intent to locate him by gathering as many details about his movements as possible. With the RCN issued against him, his exact location would help in his arrest by Interpol, which would be the first step in getting him back.
Following the arrest of a wanted accused, the RCNs are executed by either extradition or deportation. While deportation is considered to be a shortcut to get the custody of subject, the extradition is a lengthy legal battle that needs an effective follow-up. Sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), India’s Interpol wing, which coordinates with their counterparts in the country of destination, have also stated that foreign countries, mostly European ones, shy away from extraditing their nationals, when wanted by India. However, if the wanted accused is an Indian national, the process becomes relatively easier.
“Extradition is not always easy and an RCN should be backed up with a set of strong evidences that can stand test in the destination country’s court of law. On several occasions, we fail at that stage due to which even an RCN doesn’t give the desired result in getting the accused person’s custody,” said YP Singh, IPS officer turned lawyer.
“In case RCN is against a terrorist, the country might even deport him. This has been seen happening mostly in the case of countries location in Southeast Asia. However, in case of a developed nation, extra efforts are needed,” added Singh.
