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2008 Supreme(Del) 965

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
VIKRAMAJIT SEN,V.K.SHALI
RAM K.MAHBUBANI - Appellant
Versus
U.O.I. - Respondent
W.P.(CRL) 1249/2007
Decided On : 12-09-2008

Advocates Appeared:
Mr. D. C. Mathur, Sr. Adv. with Mr. D. Banerjee, Adv.
Mr. Rahul Mehra, Adv. for Ministry of External Affairs.

Headnote:Constitution of India, 1950

       Articles 226 & 227 and Section 24 of Extradition Act, 1962 - Writ of Habeas Corpus--Seeking to quash the impugned the order of ACMM and to stay of the proceedings qua--Petitioner was apprehended at Chennai Airport in response to Red Corner notice issued by INTERPOL on request of the Govt, of United States of America under Article 12 of Extradition treaty--Extraditable offence--Court was of view, the Ld. ACMM has rightly held that the offence for which the petitioner has been indicated in the USA corresponds to cheating as envisaged under Section 415 of IPC--The provision of Section 24 of the Extradition Act not applicable as courts in India are bludgeoned by dockets--No merit--Hence, Writ petition dismissed with cost.

JUDGMENT

VIKRAMAJIT SEN, J.

1. In this writ petition three prayers have been asked for “ firstly for the issuance of a writ of Habeas Corpus securing the release of the Petitioner under Section 24 of the Extradition Act, 1962 (“Extradition Act” for short); secondly, for quashing of the Orders of the learned ACMM dated 31.5.2007 and 28.7.2007 whereby, according to the Petitioner, he has been detained; and thirdly, for staying the proceedings in the Court of the learned Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM).

.2. The Petition discloses that the Petitioner was detained at Chennai Airport on 04.05.2005. He was subsequently released on bail by Order dated 12.5.2005 by “the Madras Court”, subject to his depositing the original Passport in that Court and executing a Bond for a sum of Rupees Ten Thousand. The Respondents have clarified that this was a “provisional arrest” as requested for by the Government of the United States of America (USA) as envisaged in Article 12 of the Extradition Treaty between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of USA, duly published in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated September 14, 1999. The Respondents have further stated that the provisional arrest was pursuant to the powers contained in Section 34-B of the Extradition Act. The Orders dated 12.5.2005 are of the Judicial Magistrate, Alandur, Chennai. The Petitioner thereafter filed a Writ of Mandamus seeking the return of his Sri Lankan passport and for his discharge under Section 24 of the Extradition Act. In its Order dated 15.11.2006 a learned Single Judge of the High Court of Judicature of Madras noted that the case had been initiated 18 months prior thereto and that it was “strange” that no action was taken thereafter. Therefore, the retention of the Passport was without legal authority. That Writ Petition was allowed and the Inspector of Police, CB CID (Metro), Chennai was directed to return the Passport to the Petitioner forthwith.

.3. In the meanwhile, on 10.10.2006, the Embassy of the USA made a request for the extradition of the Petitioner. Several documents were annexed to the request. The Government of India by Order dated 7.5.2007, together with Corrigendum dated 11.6.2007, requested the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi to inquire into the alleged offence. This Order is reproduced for ease of perusal: Whereas the fugitive Mr. Ram K. Mehbubani, a dual national of Sri Lanka and US, who is presently in India, is wanted by the U.S. judicial authorities for trial in respect of certain criminal offences. 2. Whereas the Government of the United States of America has submitted a formal request on 10.10.2006 (at) 37-39, through diplomatic channels, for the extradition of the said fugitive to the United States of America; and 3. Whereas the offence alleged to have been committed by the fugitive Mr. Ram K. Mehbubani is stated to be extraditable by the US authorities in terms of Article 2 of Extradition Treaty currently in force between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the United States of America. 4. Therefore, the Central Government, having been satisfied on the basis of the material submitted by the Government of the United States of America, that the warrants of arrest were issued by the United States District Court, New Jersey having lawful authority to issue the same, hereby requests under Section 5 of the Indian Extradition Act 1962 (34 of 1962), the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi, to inquire into the alleged offence. 5. The extradition request with all enclosures

.received from the Government of the United States of America for the extradition of the fugitive Mr. Ram K. Mehbubani including the warrant of arrest issued by the United States District court, New Jersey are being sent herewith.

4. It appears that on 26.5.2007 a petition was filed by the Union of India in the Court of ACMM under Section 6 of the Extradition Act, praying f




































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