CBI secures extradition of wanted fugitive Iqbal Singh (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday announced the successful extradition of wanted fugitive Iqbal Singh from Portugal to India in coordination with multiple Indian agencies and Portuguese authorities.
According to the official statement, the extradition was carried out jointly by the CBI, the National Investigation Agency, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The accused arrived in India on May 13 after completion of legal proceedings in Portugal.
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Iqbal Singh was wanted in connection with a case registered by the National Investigation Agency under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Investigators alleged that he played an active role in cross-border heroin smuggling from Pakistan into India through the international border. Officials said the accused was also involved in creating a terror-linked network engaged in the smuggling, distribution and sale of narcotics inside the country.
The CBI stated that a Red Notice was issued against the accused through INTERPOL channels following a request made by the NIA. After international coordination and intelligence-sharing, the accused was geo-located in Portugal and later arrested by local authorities there.
Following the arrest, India formally submitted an extradition request to Portuguese authorities, after which legal proceedings were initiated in the foreign jurisdiction.
A special team of the NIA travelled to Portugal to complete the extradition process and escort the accused back to India. The agencies involved described the operation as part of India’s continuing efforts to track down and return wanted fugitives operating from foreign countries.
The CBI said it functions as India’s National Central Bureau for INTERPOL and coordinates with domestic law enforcement agencies through the BHARATPOL platform for international cooperation.
Officials stated that more than 160 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India in recent years through coordinated action involving Indian ministries, central agencies and foreign governments.
The extradition of Iqbal Singh is being viewed as another significant development in India’s crackdown on organised crime, terror-linked smuggling and international fugitives.
