Thursday, Mar 28 2024 | Time 18:03 Hrs(IST)
image
India


As Michel gets ‘talking about Sonia’: Govt, BJP hopeful of extradition of Zakir Naik, others

As Michel gets ‘talking about Sonia’: Govt, BJP hopeful of extradition of Zakir Naik, others

By Nirendra Dev
New Delhi, Dec 30 (UNI) At a time when extradition of Christian Michel has sparked off a major political row vis-a-vis ‘naming’ of Sonia Gandhi in AgustaWestland chopper scam, the ruling dispensation is keeping fingers crossed on possible extradition of other ‘economic offenders’.
“The ruling NDA regime is delighted at Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe and developments in the court case. We also want other extradition process to follow soon. The political impact will be huge of those extraditions,” a BJP source told UNI without elaborating.
Sources said the government through Ministry of External Affairs has been getting in touch with all governments concerned including the Malaysian authorities on the possibility of extradition of radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik.
“The moot point is government is serious of extraditing people who have fled the country either as economic offenders or otherwise,” a source said.

In this context, an official source also said that “the Ministry of External Affairs is also putting up its best foot forward. We are making all efforts at the Ministry to ensure that we are in touch with the governments concerned and that documents are in order and so on”.
Sources also clarified that despite assertion by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad in July this year that Zakir Naik will not be extradited, apparently the government has not given up its hope yet.
“We do not see presence of Zakir Naik in Malaysia as a hiccup in diplomatic relations between India and Malaysia,” the source said pointing out the obvious that the Islamic preacher Naik has been in Malaysia for quite some time now.

“At the end of the day, these are legal matters and there is an extradition process on the matter,” the source said.
Naik is facing a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and also the ED after his sermons on his Peace TV were cited as principal factor by Bangladesh for an unprecedented terror attack in Dhaka in 2016, which killed 22 people.
The source also has made it crystal clear that - “We have good relations with Malaysia and Prime Minister Mahathir and that Narendra Modi has again met PM Mahathir at East Asia Summit in November in Singapore".
Indian side also believes that there are also ‘good relations with the Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’ - and hoped that things can turn into India’s favour once legal procedures are over.
The BJP sources, in fact, agree with the government version that - even for others – like fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, the normal extradition procedures are on in Antigua and Barbuda.
"I cannot give you dates," a source said.
It is true, the government is serious and wherever ‘extra and legal processes’ are required, the Ministry of External Affairs is being the “face of that process” even as these people are sought after by other central agencies likes ED and the CBI.
Sources also say that in addition to improving relations with major powers and also the neighbouring countries, the Modi government in last four-and-half years has given the country - essentially what is defined as giving a 'bigger voice' in international affairs.
“In the ultimate, such a new positioning – often from a position of strength is helpful to carry out extradition process,” the BJP source said adding extradition process has begun in most cases quickly and on time.
Indicating a fresh round of political and legal troubles for the Congress, the ED on Saturday told a Delhi court British ‘middleman’ extradited from UAE has taken the name of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi while in custody.
Reacting to the developments, BJP leader and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar wasted no time in attacking the Congress and the 'first political dynasty'.
He said that the "finger is pointed towards a single family". He also accused the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government of corruption, saying it compromised with the national security.
"What Enforcement Directorate (ED) has told the court has stunned the nation because Michel in chopper scam has named Congress leader 'Mrs Gandhi' as per ED," Mr Javadekar said.
Recently, there were some developments on the extradition of business tycoon Vijaya Mallya but some legal procedures were still required.
With regard Briton Christian Michel – arrested by CBI and ED on AgustaWestland chopper scam, the MEA has already received the request for consular access.

Sources said: “Michel has access to his lawyer and he is allowed to speak to his family”. But as to when he will get consular access is being looked into.
“When will he get consular access, no time frame has been given yet by the government but according to provisions under the Vienna Convention, that possibility is not ruled out.
UNI DEVN RSA 0952

More News
Varun Gandhi pens down emotional letter after being denied ticket

Varun Gandhi pens down emotional letter after being denied ticket

28 Mar 2024 | 3:29 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) After being denied a ticket from Pilibhit for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, BJP MP Varun Gandhi on Thursday wrote an emotional letter to the people of his constituency and shared his memories of his childhood.

see more..
Department of Defence Production issues notification for re-organisation of DGQA

Department of Defence Production issues notification for re-organisation of DGQA

28 Mar 2024 | 3:23 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Department of Defence Production under the Ministry of Defence has issued a notification for re-organisation of the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), which is aimed at speeding up quality assurance processes and trials and reducing layers of decision-making.

see more..
IMD predicts rain over many parts of India on Friday: IMD

IMD predicts rain over many parts of India on Friday: IMD

28 Mar 2024 | 3:04 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday predicted light to moderate rainfall over Northwest India till March 31, with the possibility of heavy rainfall for two days from Friday.

see more..
MHA extends AFSPA in 3 dists of Arunachal Pradesh for 6 mths

MHA extends AFSPA in 3 dists of Arunachal Pradesh for 6 mths

28 Mar 2024 | 2:39 PM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh for another period of six months declaring them as ‘disturbed area’ with effect from April 1.

see more..
Encourage fair, transparent & legal process: US on Kejriwal's arrest

Encourage fair, transparent & legal process: US on Kejriwal's arrest

28 Mar 2024 | 11:03 AM

New Delhi, Mar 28 (UNI) United States reiterated its call for fair, transparent, and timely legal processes a day after India summoned a US diplomat and objected to remarks on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.

see more..
image