Tiger Hanif makes another bid to avoid extradition
Tiger Hanif, who is wanted in India in connection with two bomb attacks in Gujarat in 1993 and has exhausted all legal avenues in Britain, has made a final representation to home secretary Theresa May to avoid extradition to India. An aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Hanif, whose full name is Mohammed Umerji Patel, 52, was traced to a grocery store in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in March 2010.
Tiger Hanif, who is wanted in India in connection with two bomb attacks in Gujarat in 1993 and has exhausted all legal avenues in Britain, has made a final representation to home secretary Theresa May to avoid extradition to India. An aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, Hanif, whose full name is Mohammed Umerji Patel, 52, was traced to a grocery store in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in March 2010.
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He has since lost legal challenges against his extradition in British courts, the latest being in April in the high court this year. His claim that he would be tortured if sent to India was overruled. A home office official confirmed to HT that having exhausted all legal options in Britain, Hanif had now made a representation to May, who will consider his latest papers and arrive at a decision in due course.
The official would not reveal the grounds mentioned in Hanif’s representation, but those familiar with such cases say his latest appeal is likely to be violation of his human rights if he were to be extradited to India. If May’s decision on his representation also goes against him, Hanif may approach the European Court of Human Rights, which has been the last recourse of foreign nationals who face extradition.
Tiger Hanif is wanted in India for his alleged role in a grenade attack at a crowded market which killed an eight-year-old girl in Surat in January 1993. He is also accused of plotting a second attack at a railway station which injured 12 commuters in April 1993.
Prasun Sonwalkar was Editor (UK & Europe), Hindustan Times. During more than three decades, he held senior positions on the Desk, besides reporting from India’s north-east and other states, including a decade covering politics from New Delhi. He has been reporting from UK and Europe since 1999.Read More