On Tuesday, the government admitted in Parliament that the location of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is unknown to them and the extradition process would only begin once he was located.
The disclosure, which was made by Minister of State, Home Affairs, Haribhai Chaudhary, came as a shock as in the past, various governments at the Centre, including the present one, have maintained that Dawood is living in Pakistan.
Rediff.com digs into parliamentary archives to find out how governments have responded to questions about the whereabouts of India's Most Wanted Criminal.
In 2015: 'Subject not located so far'
In its latest reaction on Tuesday, the Narendra Modi government has done an apparent U-turn on the location of Dawood Ibrahim. When asked about his capture, MoS Home Affairs Haribhai Chaudhary responded:
“Dawood Ibrahim is an accused in the Mumbai serial blast of 1993 and a Red Corner Notice No A0135/4-1993 is in existence against him. The United Nations Security Council has also issued a Special Notice No. U-65/4-2006 against him. The subject has not been located so far. Extradition process with regard to Dawood Ibrahim would be initiated once the subject is located.”
In 2013: 'Subject not located so far'
Question: Will the minister of home affairs state the status of the extradition of Dawood Ibrahim, the accused in the Mumbai serial blasts in 1993?
MoS Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said, “The accused is wanted in the Mumbai serial bomb blast of 1993 and a Red Corner Notice No.A0135/4-1993 is in existence. The United Nations Security Council has also issued a Special Notice No. U-65/4-2006 against him. The subject has not been located so far. Extradition process would be initiated once the subject is located.”
In 2006: 'Interpol alerted about Dawood's Pakistan address'
Questions: a) Has the CBI supplied enough proof regarding the presence of Dawood in Pakistan to Interpol? b) If so, the details thereof. c) The action taken by Interpol so far in this regard?
MoS in the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions and MoS in the ministry of parliamentary affair, Suresh Pachouri, said:
"a) Yes, Sir. Interpol Secretariat General, Lyon, has been informed by the CBI about the known addresses of Dawood in Pakistan and other relevant details.
b) The information has been supplied in relation to the UN Security Council Interpol Notice issued on April 2006 declaring Dawood as a wanted criminal.
c) In case of his arrest anywhere, Interpol would intimate the countries wherever he is wanted."
In 2001: 'Extradition requests made to concerned countries'
Questions: a) Whether Dawood Ibrahim is wanted in many criminal cases by the Union government as well as by some state governments? b) If so, the efforts made by the government to trace Dawood Ibrahim and neutralise his activities in the country?
MoS Home Affairs CH Vidyasagar Rao responded:
"Dawood Ibrahim is wanted in connection with the trial of serial Bombay Bomb Blast cases of 1993.
"He has been declared a Proclaimed Offender by the Designated Court in Bombay and six properties belonging to him have been attached by the court. Red Corner Notice has been issued against Dawood Ibrahim by Interpol. Cash reward in Indian as well as foreign currency equivalent to Rs 15 lakh has been declared for his arrest. Extradition requests were also made to the concerned countries where he was suspected to be hiding. Whenever specific information is received about the movement of Dawood Ibrahim, the concerned Interpol of that particular country is intimated with a request to apprehend him."
