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UK to extradite 2002 Gujarat riots accused
Samir Patel, an accused in a case related to the 2002 Gujarat riots, has been detained in London and is due to be extradited to India shortly, officials here said on Wednesday.
Samir Patel, an accused in a case related to the 2002 Gujarat riots, has been detained in London and is due to be extradited to India shortly, officials here said on Wednesday.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), one of the key departments in the British government dealing with extradition requests, told Hindustan Times that Patel had consented to his extradition to India.
Patel is wanted in connection with a case of rioting in Ode village of Anand district on March 1, 2002. He was detained after a red corner notice was issued by Interpol when he was traced to London.
A CPS official said: “We can confirm that Mr Patel has consented to his extradition to India. However, we are unable to comment on any surrender arrangements as this is an operational matter for the police.”
Scotland Yard told Hindustan Times: “On August 9, officers from the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) Extradition unit attended an address in Beavers Lane, Hounslow and arrested Samir Vinubhai Patel, aged 40, on a warrant issued under section 71 Extradition Act 2003. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on August 10, 2016.”
A team from Gujarat Police is expected to arrive in London shortly and take Patel to India.
The Ode riot, in which 23 people were killed, was reportedly one of nine cases probed by a special investigation team appointed by the Supreme Court. A special court had convicted 23 people for the riot on April 9, 2012.
Patel’s trial in the special court could not be completed when he absconded. It is expected to be resumed after he is taken to India.
India has been seeking the extradition of several individuals from Britain over the years, including Tiger Hanif, who is wanted for the 1993 Gujarat blasts and has made a final appeal against his extradition to the home secretary.
India and Britain signed an extradition treaty in 1992 and it came into force on November 15, 1993. India is included in Type B of the Category 2 list of countries in Britain’s Extradition Act of 2003.
