Interpol, CBI worries border crime links

New Delhi, Feb 28: The Central Bureau of Investigation has apprised the international policing organisation, INTERPOL, of its concern over criminals operating from India's neighbouring countries. The concern was expressed during a meeting between the secretary general of Interpol Ronald K Noble and CBI Director Vijay Shankar here on Feb 27.

During the meeting, the CBI Director took up with the Interpol Secretary General the issue of apprehending certain fugitives who have been charged for terrorist crimes committed in India but who have been visibly at large for a long time. He drew special attention to certain fugitives against whom Interpol - United Nations Security Council Special Notices exist but who were apparently left free to continue their activities from India's neighbouring countries.

On his part, Mr. Noble agreed that no Member Country should allow criminals, for whom both INTERPOL Red Corner Notices and UN-INTERPOL Special Notices, to roam free. He stated that allowing such dangerous criminals to roam and travel freely places all citizens at risk.

Mr Vijay Shanker lauded the prompt action of INTERPOL"s General Secretariat in accepting India's request to issue and disseminate a Red Corner Notice in case of Dr. Amit Kumar, accused in the well publicized the case involving illegal kidney transplants in India, as a high priority on the same day.

Kumar was apprehended by Nepalese Authorities based on an INTERPOL Red Corner Notice and quickly deported to India.

Mr. Shanker expressed his appreciation of the exemplary decision of the Government of Nepal in deporting Amit Kumar expeditiously.

Both Mr Noble and the CBI Director shared the view that Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) should be accorded greater legal validity and importance by INTERPOL"s 186 Member Countries so as to prevent free movement of dangerous criminals and to enable the law enforcement authorities bringing these criminals to justice.

Secretary General, Noble underlined the importance of enhanced cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property Rights, Cyber Crime and Human Trafficking. The importance of India"s putting in place the MIND (Mobile Interpol Network Database) and FIND (Fixed Interpol Network Database) which permit the instantaneous comparison of travelers" passports against INTERPOL"s 14 million strong Stolen and Lost Travel Document database was also highlighted by Mr. Noble.

Mr Shanker informed Mr. Noble of the steps being taken by India to put this advanced border control system in place.

UNI