Dubai, December 14
In a surprise turn, the Dubai authorities have deported underworld don Anees Ibrahim to Pakistan that gives a further blow to CBI efforts to get him extradited to India to stand trial in several cases, including 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blast.
The deportation of the 42-year-old brother of notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim, who was arrested here on December 3 in connection with a murder case, comes three days after the authorities in Dubai had asked India
to send a request for his extradition.
With the deportation, Anees has scored a hat-trick of sorts. On two earlier occasions too, he had been released after arrests.
Quoting security sources, Khaleej Times reported that Anees had been deported to Pakistan. The don had entered the country on fake documents and was arrested a few days after his arrival, the daily reported.
The development came as a rude shock to the CBI, which had despatched an official, Deputy Director (Coordination) A.K. Gupta, here immediately after Anees’ arrest in connection with the murder of an Indian businessman Irfan Gogia in 1995.
Anees’ deportation pours cold water on the chances of the CBI pursuing him to stand trial in several cases including the Mumbai blast case in which his brother Dawood and Memonbrothers are also the main accused.
Following last week’s arrest of Anees in Dubai, the CBI was hopeful of his deportation in view of the success achieved earlier this year in the quick deportation to India of Aftab Ansari, main accused in the shootout case at the American Center in Kolkata, and a similar victory in gaining custody of Muthapa Rai, henchman of Dawood Ibrahim.
The hopes were slightly dashed when the UAE authorities sent a communication to India asking it to send a request for the extradition of the criminal. After this, the CBI started work on the extradition request.
Besides his involvement in the Mumbai blasts, Anees was also wanted in nearly 70 cases of murder, attempt to murder, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, pending against him in several states.
Senior CBI official A.K. Gupta, who also looks after the Interpol-CBI relations, had returned after camping in the port city since December 8.
Anees was detained by the Dubai authorities in 1996 but was later let off for want of evidence. He was again arrested in Bahrain in late 90s but was later shifted to Dubai, from where he was released.
PTI
