These cases underscore the strong cooperation between Indian and UAE authorities in tracking down and extraditing economic and criminal offenders.
India’s top investigative agency on Saturday announced the arrest of two wanted fugitives following their extradition from the UAE.
One of the accused, Kamlesh Parekh, is wanted in connection with a major banking fraud case linked to Kolkata-based Shree Ganesh Jewellery House (I) Ltd.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in an official statement, said that Kamlesh Parekh was taken into custody on May 1 after being detained by UAE authorities.
Acting on an Interpol Red Notice, he was traced to the UAE, where local authorities apprehended him. Following the completion of legal formalities between Indian and UAE agencies, the fugitive was handed over to Indian officials.
Major bank fraud
Kamlesh Parekh had been evading investigation since the case was first registered in 2016. He is wanted in connection with a major financial fraud involving a consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation, the accused, along with other promoters, diverted funds through a network of overseas entities and business operations.
The Central Bureau of Investigation’s Bank Securities and Fraud Branch (BSFB) in Kolkata had booked the company and its promoters for allegedly defrauding a consortium of 25 banks of Rs226,720 million (about Dh10 billion).
According to investigators, Kamlesh Parekh was formally chargesheeted on December 31, 2022. A non-bailable warrant had been issued against him as early as 2019 after he failed to cooperate with the probe.
He is set to be produced before a competent court in New Delhi on May 2 for transit remand, following which he will be taken to Kolkata for further legal proceedings.
Passport scam
These cases underscore the cooperation between Indian and UAE authorities in tracking and extraditing economic and criminal offenders.
In a separate case, the CBI also secured the extradition of Aalok Kumar, also known as Yashpal Singh, from the UAE.
He was wanted for offences including cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and the use of forged documents to obtain passports fraudulently. The case was registered by Haryana Police, and he was brought to India on May 1.
Authorities allege he was a key conspirator in a well-organised racket that enabled individuals to obtain Indian passports using forged documents and false identities. Several people with criminal backgrounds were allegedly facilitated in securing passports through fabricated addresses and credentials, with the accused coordinating illegal activities and managing their movement.
An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him at the request of Haryana Police. He was later traced and arrested by UAE authorities, after which an extradition request was submitted.
Following the completion of legal formalities, UAE authorities approved the extradition and handed him over to Indian officials. He arrived in Mumbai on May 1 and was taken into custody by Haryana Police.
