New Delhi: Peeved over a UK court`s
desire to inspect jails here before extraditing an Indian
fugitive, the government has decided to convey to that country
that it would "reciprocate" in letter and spirit if requests
for extraditing British fugitives come in the future.
The decision has come after a British court sought
India`s consent to depute a human rights expert to visit
Gujarat jails to examine the conditions there before it grants
extradition of Mohammad Hanif Umerji Patel, alias Tiger Hanif,
the alleged mastermind of the 1993 bomb blast in Surat.
Hanif has cited India`s poor human rights records and
fear of torture in his plea to the court which is hearing the
application for his extradition.
"The British court wanted to send someone to visit our
jails. We have agreed, but also told them in no uncertain
terms that when they make a similar request in the future, we
will insist on the same conditions," an official said.
The Home Ministry`s decision has been conveyed to the
Ministry of External Affairs for informing Britain.
This came days after Denmark High Court rejected the
plea of extraditing Purulia arms drop case key accused Kim
Davy citing alleged poor condition of Indian jails and
"violation of human rights" in prisons here.
Interestingly, last week, Indian national Aman Vyas
against whom an Interpol red corner notice was issued for
allegedly sexually assaulting four women and murdering one of
them in Britain two years ago was arrested here.
A decision on his extradition to Britain is yet to be
taken. Hanif was arrested by Scotland Yard last year on the
basis of an Interpol red corner notice. An alleged member of
the Dawood Ibrahim gang, Hanif fled India after the 1993 Surat
bombings which left an eight-year-old girl dead and 12 others
injured. Hanif is believed to have acquired a British passport
while hiding there.
Hanif is a prized catch for India`s security agencies
as he may give information on the terror links of the
Dawood-LeT network.
PTI
