Govt's delay allows Nigerian to escape judicial action

New Delhi, Aug 7 (UNI) The Union Government's delayed response has led to an alleged Nigerian drug peddler escaping legal action.

Nigerian national RKR Azibola was arrested by the custom officials at New Delhi airport on September 15, 1998 allegedly for carrying 'heroin'. She reportedly confessed to the crime.

The trial court, however, acquitted her from the charges on March 27, 2003. The government challenged the court's order but moved the High Court after a delay of 93 days.

As the Government requested the court to allow the petition, the court sought production of the Nigerian national, who by then had reportedly left for her country.

When the court heard the matter on May 9, it said, ''the notice for her production is yet to be effected, though three years have passed ever since. We grant the goverment, a last opportunity to produce her on the next hearing on Aug 7.'' Pramod Bahuguna, counsel of the Government of India, produced a letter, before the court on Aug 6, from the Under Secretary Amar Chand expressing his helpessness over the matter.

The letter mentioned, ''the notice received in the Ministry of Home Affairs have been forwarded to Nigerian embassy. Time frame for a response can't be dictated by the Government of India.'' The court said it was no use pending the case and dismissed the government's appeal seeking condonation.

UNI