New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has successfully secured the extradition of wanted fugitive Abhay alias Abhay Rana from Portugal to India, an official statement said on Saturday.

Abhay alias Abhay Rana, who was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice, was wanted by the Haryana Police in multiple criminal cases registered in the state. The charges against him include extortion, criminal intimidation, operating an organised crime syndicate, attempt to murder, and issuing life threats, the statement further said.

According to investigators, in one of the cases registered in Karnal district of Haryana, the accused, along with his associates, allegedly threatened local businessmen through social media platforms, including WhatsApp calls, demanding ransom payments. Those who failed to comply with the demands were reportedly assaulted by members of the syndicate.

Following the completion of the investigation, a charge sheet was filed against the accused before the competent court.

On the request of Haryana Police, the National Central Bureau (NCB)-New Delhi got an INTERPOL Red Notice issued against the accused. After he was geo-located and arrested by Portuguese authorities, India submitted a formal extradition request.

Following due legal proceedings, the Portuguese authorities approved the extradition of the accused to India.

A Haryana Police escort team subsequently travelled to Portugal, where the accused was formally handed over to Indian authorities. The team, along with the accused, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Saturday.

The CBI said that more than 160 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India in recent years through coordinated efforts using INTERPOL channels.

The agency, which functions as the National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India, coordinates with all law enforcement agencies in the country through the BHARATPOL platform for international police cooperation and assistance through INTERPOL channels.

–IANS

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