New Delhi: Sending a strong message to
Denmark, India on Friday said Danish High Court`s refusal to allow
extradition of Purulia arms drop case accused Kim Davy has
"grave and far-reaching" implications and can only serve as an
encouragement to terrorists and criminals.
The External Affairs Ministry while expressing its
great disappointment over the Court verdict also said India`s
demand that Davy be handed over by Denmark stands and he must
stand trial in this country for his actions.
"In our view, the judgement has grave and far-reaching
implications and can only serve as an encouragement to
terrorists and criminals," spokesperson in the External
Affairs Ministry Vishnu Prakash said in response to a query.
"We have been greatly disappointed on being informed
that the Danish authorities cannot comply with India?s request
for the extradition of Neils Holck @ Kim Davy to India to
stand trial," he said.
Noting that Danish government had decided on April 9,
2010, to extradite Kim Davy to India, he said "but the Danish
authorities failed to successfully defend their decision in
the Danish courts and it is regrettable that they have decided
not to appeal the High Court judgement in the Supreme Court."
"Completely rejecting" the grounds cited by the Danish
court as the basis for its decision, he said "Our demand for
the extradition of Kim Davy to India stands. He must face the
law in India for his actions."
Government sources meanwhile emphasised that Danish
authorities must ensure that "terrorists and gunrunners do not
find easy safe haven" in their country and made it clear that
the relations and interactions between the two countries will
always be based on the strict principle of reciprocity.
"Conditionalities insisted upon by the Danes will apply
in respect of any request received by us from them in the
similar manner," they said.
India has already lodged a strong protest with Denmark
over the remarks made by Danish High Court when it cited human
rights conditions in this country while rejecting plea to
extradite Davy.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna also made a
reference to the verdict when he said there was no reason for
Danish government or court to feel that the human rights
record is being relegated to the background in India.
"I think it`s necessary to convey to everyone who is
concerned that we are an open and transparent society and
believe in rule of law. There is no reason for Danish
government or court to feel that human rights is being
relegated to the background in India," Krishna told
accompanying journalists on return from Dhaka to New Delhi.
He was asked about the crticism of India`s human rights
record by a Danish court which rejected a plea for extradition
of Kim Davy to stand trial in India in Purulia arms drop case.
However, Krishna said "perception of India from the
point of view others also becomes equally important, apart
from ourown assessment of the situation".
PTI
