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Notorious Idol Smuggler to Return to Germany After 14 Years in India
Developing
In Short: The Madras High Court has ordered the Union government to extradite Subash Chandra Kapoor, a notorious idol smuggler, back to Germany, where his extradition was initially approved.
The Madras High Court has directed the Union government to take custody of Subash Chandra Kapoor from Tiruchi Central Prison and proceed according to law to return him to Germany, according to reports.
Kapoor, an international antiques dealer and idol smuggler, was brought to India from a German prison 14 years ago, all under the terms of an extradition treaty that has now become a legal hurdle.
Germany, which had to give its consent for Kapoor's extradition, refused permission in four cases, complicating India's efforts to keep him in custody.
India could have brought Kapoor over under a promise to prosecute him for the burglary and illegal export of 19 antique idols, valued at over Rs 94 crore, from the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Tamil Nadu, but prosecution for other pre-extradition offences required Germany's consent.
The legal irony lies in the fact that the same treaty that allowed India to bring Kapoor to the country in 2012 has now limited its ability to keep him here.
Tamil Nadu had wanted to prosecute Kapoor in other idol-theft cases, but the legal restrictions have prevented this from happening.
The court's decision to order Kapoor's return to Germany highlights the complex legal challenges faced in international extradition cases.
What's still developing
- “Give back four items to Selina (Mohammad), Bronze Dancers, which are in the 4 closets,” it said.
Sources
- The Indian Expresslink