E-Kantipur

KATHMANDU, MAR 10 - Investigators of media entrepreneur Jamim Shah’s murder case have already established that Indian criminals, including underworld don Babloo Shrivastav masterminded the plan, were involved in the crime and have already fled to India, yet they are still in dilemma whether the Indian police will cooperate to nab the culprits.

Shah was assassinated in Kathmandu on Feb. 7.

“If we track the past records of reciprocity of Indian police in handing over Indian criminals, chances are slim that we will receive cooperation,” said a senior police official involved in the investigation.

Coincidently, Shrivastav, who is currently serving time in an Indian jail, is on the most wanted list of Nepal Police for his involvement in killing of sitting parliamentarian Mirza Dilsad Beg in 1998. Shrivastav along with his aides-Rajendra Prasad Sharma, Archana Sharma, Magga Sardar and Rajendra Nikalje Sadashiv-were arrested in Singapore and sent back to India. But Indian authority refused to hand them over to Nepal.

“Indian police rarely cooperate when it comes to arresting Indian criminals,” said the official. However, according to him, they act swiftly to nab and hand over any Nepali criminals absconding in India.

Nepali investigators this time also failed to interrogate Shrivastav.

Investigators have reached a conclusion that Shrivastav directed Deepak Shahi ‘Babbu’, also an Indian national, to execute Shah’s murder in cahoots with Nepali criminals.

And again, a preliminary investigation indicated that Mohammad Bakar Saiyad, who shot at Shah in Kathmandu and Saukar Beg in Butwal few months ago, was a member of the Indian Police. Nepali investigators’ request to verify his identity also has fallen in deaf ears.

Some investigators believe that lack of extradition treaty between Nepal and India comes into play when Nepal Police ask for the handover of Indian criminals. But even then, records show that Nepal Police have always been cooperative to their counterpart.

Former DIG Bharat G.C., who also probed Beg murder case, is however optimistic that the Indian police would cooperate. “We have problems on our part. Nepal Police don’t follow up past criminal cases,” said G.C.

Investigators though have nabbed SI Prakash Chhetri, Kishor Khadka, Laxman Dhamala, Roshan Pandey and Dilip Thapa in connection with Shah’s killing they are clueless about motive behind the murder.

Once the case is filed, Nepal Police will begin the process to issue Red Corner Notice (RCN) through Interpol against Shah’s murderers. But the questions loom large: Can RCN solve the murder mystery? Will Shah’s assassins and their accomplice be nabbed?

Posted on: 2010-03-10 08:52

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