The United Kingdom has extradited a wanted accused to India for the first time since the countries signed an extradition treaty in 1992, PTI reported. In August, Scotland Yard officials arrested Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel, who is wanted in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat. Indian authorities had issued a Red Corner Notice against him.
The extradition order against the 40-year-old accused was signed by UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd (pictured above) on September 22. The UK High Commission issued a statement that said, "Following the Government of India's request for extradition, Mr Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel, an Indian national, is being extradited on October 18 to face trial in India."
According to a report by Hindustan Times, Patel "consented” to the extradition, unlike others on India's extradition list. This helped fast-track the process. His reasons for agreeing to the extradition have not been disclosed. Patel has been accused of rioting in an incident where 23 Muslims were burnt alive in Gujarat's Ode village.
Other accused on India's extradition and deportation list to the United Kingdom include businessman Vijay Mallya and former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi in financial cases, Ex-naval officer Ravi Shankaran in connection with the Indian Navy war room leak and gangster Tiger Hanif in the 1993 Gujarat blasts case.
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