'Appeal against Shankaran’s extradition not possible'

Britain said it had advised the CBI that it was not possible to appeal against the high court’s extradition ruling that there was no prima facie case against Ravi Shankaran, the main accused in the Indian navy war-room leak case.

Britain on Monday said it had advised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that it was not possible to appeal against the high court’s extradition ruling that there was no prima facie case against Ravi Shankaran, the main accused in the Indian navy war-room leak case.

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The Crown Prosecution Service, which acts on behalf of foreign governments in such matters, said in a statement: “We have advised the Indian authorities that an appeal against the high court’s decision is not possible”.

It added: “The court’s decision turned on a factual matter specific to this case, not a broader legal issue, and the Supreme Court will only hear cases concerning a point of law of general public importance.”

After the April 1 ruling, the CBI had the option to appeal against the rejection in Britain’s Supreme Court within 14 days.

The court held that prima facie there was no case against Shankaran, and noted that hearing in the case was yet to begin in India. Shankaran’s extradition had earlier been cleared by Home secretary Theresa May.