The process for the deportation of underworld don Chhota Rajan has begun even as India and Indonesia are to expedite the work on implementation of an extradition treaty.
India’s Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh said an extradition treaty and a treaty for mutual legal assistance have already been concluded and letters for their implementation would be exchanged during the visit of Vice-President Hamid Ansari beginning on Sunday.
Singh said the process relating to the two treaties is “coincidental” to Ansari’s visit and not being hurried up. He said the process of Rajan’s deportation has begun but there is no deadline for it and termed reports that Rajan had surrendered to the Indonesian authorities as “speculative and hypothetical”.
The India-Indonesia extradition treaty was signed in 2011 but has not been implemented as of now. Lawyer Fransico Prassar, who has been hired by Rajan, met him at the detention centre, where he is lodged, but he refused to make any comment on his client, one of India’s most wanted criminals.
“I have met him and discussed about the case. Beyond that I have no comment to offer now,” Prassar said.
In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the Ministries of External Affairs and Home were working together to bring back Rajan from Indonesia “as early as possible”.
Rajan (55), whose original name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje, was reportedly questioned by the Indonesian police for six hours about his identity and criminal acts in India on Friday. Bali Police Commissioner Reinhard Nainggolan said Rajan has been allowed to communicate to the Indian mission in Bali, besides meeting a lawyer. Rajan, wanted in over 75 crimes ranging, was questioned both in English and Hindi through a translator.
An Indonesian police spokesperson said they have submitted a report to the Indian consulate in Bali as well as Interpol about Rajan’s arrest and identity. He said Rajan has been cooperating with the police and has accepted that his real name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje.