Warrant for Ravinder Singh cannot be executed: CBI

New Delhi, Mar 12 (UNI) The CBI today informed a city court that non-bailable warrants, issued against Ravinder Singh, former Joint Secretary in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and his wife could not be executed due to non-cooperation by the Interpol and the US Government.

The CBI approached the Interpol for the issuance of a red corner notices against them but it refused on the ground that the offence alleged against Singh falls under Article 3 of the International Protocol which is listed as a typical political crime.

The CBI also approached the US Government through a diplomatic channel but the Cabinet Secretariat of Department of Justice of the US informed the Indian government that the warrant for the provisional arrest could not be executed as allegations fall under Article 4 of Indo-US Treaty as dual criminality was required and the objective Article 2 was not satisfied as a person with an invalid passport is not a criminal.

RAW had earlier filed a complaint before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on which the court today issued notices for declaring them as proclaimed offenders and asked RAW to publish the order, requiring his presence before court, in a major daily having circulation both in New Delhi and the US.

The court also directed the SHO, Defence Colony, for the publication of his warrant and appearence before it.

RAW alleged in its complaint that Singh was passing secret information during his tenure at RAW and Indian embassies abroad. The secretary fled the country in May 2004.

The CBI also informed that Singh and his wife had already been declared proclaimed offenders and their property had been sealed as both of them are accused under the National Security Act.

UNI XC SW HT1630