The Mumbai crime branch has dispatched a two-member team to Thailand to initiate the process of deporting Dawood Ibrahim gang member Munna Zingada.
Zingada was the main shooter who attacked underworld don Chhota Rajan in Bangkok in 2001, following which Zingada was arrested by Thai police from Philippines and is now set to be released after serving a jail term. There is also a red corner notice pending against him.
Documents pertaining to the various crimes he committed in Mumbai as well as proving his Indian nationality have also been rushed to the Thailand authorities along with the police team. This was after Pakistan also staked its claim to Zingada’s custody.
The urgency in sending the team was on account of a missive from the Indian ambassador in Thailand, Anil Wadhwa, to the MEA, alerting the move by the Pakistani government.
Pakistan had stated that Zingada’s real name was Mohammed Saleem and that he was a Pakistani national.
Crime branch sources said that the hit on Rajan had been orchestrated based on data provided allegedly by the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. If Zingada is deported, he might reveal many of the ISI’s secrets.
The ministry had on Monday asked the Mumbai police to prepare a detailed report on Zingada mentioning all his crimes in Mumbai to seek his extradition.