The agenda of the UAE visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi included extradition of 10 persons, several of them wanted in terror cases. Though officials did not divulge the names on the extradition list, one of the most prominent wanted man is Abdul Wahid Siddibapa, an Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative and cousin of Yasin Bhatkal, who was arrested from Nepal in 2012. Siddibapa was detained in Abu Dhabi on the basis of a red-corner notice issued by India for his alleged role in the serial blasts in various parts of the country from 2006 to 2010. He is said to be the financial brain of the IM.
Another person on the extradition list is Sahul Hameed of Chennai, who is wanted in several cases of red-sanders smuggling in Telangana. India reminded the UAE of at least 39 letters rogatory (letter of request for legal assistance issued by a court to a foreign court) pending with the Gulf nation.
A follow-up was sought on the status of 192 suspects against whom red-corner notices have been issued at India’s behest. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, who accompanied Mr. Modi on the trip, is learnt to have raised the pending extradition requests.
The UAE showed its willingness to cooperate in these cases, it is learnt. The extradition treaty signed between India and the UAE in 1999 came into force in 2000. A Central Bureau of Investigation official confirmed that India had pursued the extradition requests.
Dawood case
Underworld gangster Dawood Ibrahim, wanted in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, keeps visiting Dubai and has various business interests there. India has got a red-corner notice issued against him.
Terror and cooperation on security and defence was high on the agenda of Mr. Modi’s visit. A joint statement issued after his meeting with Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed AI Nahyan said: “The two sides will also establish points of contact between their security agencies to further improve operational cooperation. Enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing and capacity building … strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug trafficking, other transnational crimes, extradition arrangements, as well as police training.”
Published - August 22, 2015 12:05 am IST
