New Delhi: CBI has written to the External
Affairs Ministry to initiate steps for the extradition of
Sanjay Chaudhary, key aide of former Jharkhand Chief Minister
Madhu Koda, from UAE where he was held recently.
The move comes amid reports that Dubai Police has let
off Chaudhary after questioning despite a Red Corner Notice,
issued by Interpol, pending against him. The Red Corner Notice
is the closest instrument to an international arrest warrant.
When contacted, CBI said it was not aware of Chaudhary's
release but also refused to confirm whether he was in the
custody of Dubai Police.
The CBI said they had sent a note to Ministry of External
Affairs for initiating the extradition process.
CBI is looking for Chaudhary is alleged to have extracted
illegal gratification to the tune of Rs 13 crore from a Mumbai
-based company for showing favour in the matter of allotment
of lease for iron-ore mining in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum
district.
Chaudhary is alleged to be a key confidant of Koda
who was arrested on charges of money laundering, tax evasion
and disproportionate assets and is presently lodged in Birsa
Munda Jail in Ranchi, CBI sources said.
He is also accused of helping the former CM in routing
his alleged illegal investments to various foreign shores
including Liberia and the UAE and the Enforcement Directorate
has an arrest warrant pending against him, the sources said.
Koda was arrested on November 30, 2009 and is in
judicial custody along with another of his associate Binod
Sinha while Chaudhary is absconding, they said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 21:31