CBI and Punjab Police Achieve Major Success with Extradition of Fugitive Gangster from Moldova

New Delhi, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) collaborated with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Punjab Police to successfully extradite a fugitive from Moldova on Saturday. This individual, wanted for a double homicide and other serious crimes, marks the first extradition from a European country to India.

According to officials, Amritpal Singh, also known as Gurpal Singh, was brought back to India following a request from Punjab Police. He is implicated in several criminal cases in Punjab.

The charges against him include the use of firearms in the killings of two individuals, violations of the Arms Act, and offenses related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. His criminal activities also encompass fraud, forgery, and violations of the Passport Act.

The CBI stated that they issued a Red Notice through Interpol at the request of Punjab Police. Subsequently, Moldovan authorities tracked down Singh and arrested him. Following this, a formal extradition request was sent to Moldova. After completing the legal procedures, Moldovan officials approved his return to India.

A four-member team from Punjab Police traveled to Chișinău, Moldova, to escort Singh back to the country. As the National Central Bureau for Interpol in India, the CBI coordinates with all law enforcement agencies through ‘Bharatpol’ to facilitate such operations.

In recent years, over 175 wanted criminals have been successfully brought back to India through coordination with Interpol, according to the CBI.

Punjab’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, noted that Singh is a key member of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. He is wanted for multiple offenses, including murder, attempted murder, and violations of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), as well as the Arms Act and drug-related charges.

This extradition is a significant milestone for Punjab Police, marking their first successful extradition from a European nation in the fight against organized crime.

Singh was detained by Moldovan authorities on February 24 while attempting to cross the Otaci state border towards Ukraine. Following his arrest, Punjab Police initiated the extradition process through their Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTSEC).