GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th July: In a major breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is bringing back alleged economic offender Monika Kapoor from the United States, ending her over 25-year-long evasion of Indian law, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Kapoor, who had been residing in the US since 1999, was extradited under the India-US Extradition Treaty, following a ruling by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She is being escorted by CBI officials on an American Airlines flight, expected to land in India late Wednesday night.
Extradition Cleared Despite Torture Allegations
Kapoor had opposed the extradition, citing potential torture in India and invoking protections under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (FARRA). However, her claims were rejected, and the US Secretary of State issued a surrender warrant, clearing the final hurdle in the extradition process.
Allegations of Fraud and Forgery
Monika Kapoor, along with her two brothers, is accused of forging documents related to a jewellery business to fraudulently obtain government licenses for duty-free import of raw materials. The alleged scam is said to have caused a loss of over USD 679,000 (approximately ₹5.7 crore) to the Indian exchequer.
Kapoor fled to the US in 1999, shortly after the fraud came to light. The Indian government formally sought her extradition in October 2010, and the legal battle continued for nearly 15 years before culminating in her return.
Diplomatic and Legal Success
The successful extradition is being hailed as a major diplomatic and legal win for India, as it reinforces the commitment to bring back economic fugitives facing trial for defrauding public resources.
CBI officials are expected to formally arrest Kapoor upon arrival and produce her before a designated court in India to initiate judicial proceedings. Further investigations into the involvement of other accused individuals are ongoing.
