UK court orders extradition of 'classic fugitive' Tiger Hanif

London, May 3: Tiger Hanif, who is wanted in India in connection with two bomb attacks in Gujarat in 1993, has been ordered to be extradited to India by a British judge who called him a "classic fugitive" during a hearing here.

Hanif, whose full name is Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel, 51, was traced to a grocery store in Bolton, Greater Manchester in March 2010. He is said to be an associate of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. The Westminster magistrates' court in London yesterday ordered Hanif's extradition to India.

Hanif was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in February 2010 on an extradition warrant that alleged conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions. He is wanted in India for his alleged role in a grenade attack on a packed market place which killed an eight-year-old schoolgirl in Surat in 1993. He is also accused of plotting to carry out a second grenade attack at a crowded railway station which seriously wounded 12 commuters.

Hanif has since been contesting extradition on the ground that he would be tortured by Indian officials, and that confessions of others involved with the bombings had been allegedly gained through torture interrogations. He can appeal against the extradition ruling, but the final order clearing his extradition will be signed by Home Secretary Theresa May.

PTI