CBI’s efforts to seek extradition of Sanjay Choudhary, close associate of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, have hit a roadblock with the authorities concerned in UAE raising queries related to the offence he committed and whether any limitation period is applicable in India.
According to sources, the agency, in its reply which was sent last week to UAE authorities, made it clear that in India “there is no limitation period of an offence”. In UAE, the economic offences have some limitation period. The authorities in Dubai had arrested Mr Choudhary on November 9, 2011 on an Interpol red corner notice, which was issued on the request of the CBI.
Sources said, “The CBI officials are in touch with Indian high commission in Dubai in this regard. The CBI has already initiated the process for the extradition of Mr Chaudhary. The CBI also wants to send a team of its officials to UAE to expedite the process of early extradition of Mr Choudhary by interacting with officials of the agency concerned there.” The CBI’s request in this regard is pending with the UAE, sources added.
“Mr Chaudhary allegedly helped the former CM of Jharkhand in routing his alleged illegal investments to various countries, including Liberia, UAE, Singapore and Ghana. His extradition to India is important. The CBI officials want to interrogate him in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case also,” sources said. The CBI had chargesheeted Mr Koda and two of his aides, Mr Choudhary and Binod Sinha, last November in a designated court in Ranchi.