India has lodged an extradition request for a Hong Kong resident described as a notorious Punjabi gangster with alleged links to terrorism, political killings, and a daring jailbreak, who was arrested in the city in connection with a HK$32 million (about US$4 million) robbery in Kowloon, according to reports.
Ramanjit Singh, alias Romi, was detained by officers at a road block in Sham Shui Po on Feb. 21, the SCMP reported.
The Indian-born 29 year old was one of five people charged over a Feb. 5 robbery in Tsim Sha Tsui in which more than 450 million Japanese yen (the HK equivalent above) was stolen. The cash was later recovered.
The newspaper reported that Singh’s was also on bail over a robbery in Hung Hom last year that saw HK$3.2 million taken.
According to the Times of India, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has lodged a request under the 1997 Hong Kong-India extradition treaty, which it reported was the first time that the agreement has been invoked.
A member of Punjab Police’s organized crime control unit told the newspaper they were certain that Singh, who reportedly holds a Hong Kong residency, after having been raised and schooled in the city, would be sent back.
Singh allegedly fled to Hong Kong from India in June 2016 after being released on bail from a prison in Nabha, Punjab, where he had been held over possessing stolen cars, pistols, and fake credit cards, the Times of India reported.
In Hong Kong, he allegedly “set up a control room” and helped mastermind a dramatic November 2016 breakout from the Nahba prison, in which armed men disguised as police attacked the high-security complex, freeing a Sikh militant commander and several others.
The Times of India reported that he sent money to finance the jailbreak and coordinated the escapees’ movement while they were on the run.
According to the newspaper, Interpol was involved in the case last year. An Interpol Red Notice for Singh alleges his involvement in a litany of crimes.
Those crimes include theft, using forged documents, attempted murder, escape from confinement, rioting with a deadly weapon and impersonating a public servant.
He is also accused of “conspiring, abetting, advising and facilitating terrorist activities,” “raising funds [for a] terrorist act,” and “preparation for the commission of a terrorist act and member of terrorist gang.”
The India Tribune described Singh as an “international criminal” who was “the point man” for coordination between Punjab gangsters and Pakistan-based terrorists.
An Indian police spokesman, quoted by Indian press, further alleged that his name had “figured prominently” in connection with a busted terror cell responsible for seven hate killings in India and linked Singh to a UK national connected to political killings.
According to the SCMP, Singh’s case over the Tsim Sha Tsui robbery was adjourned to April 9. A police source told the newspaper that, normally, extradition would only be allowed once legal proceedings are finished in Hong Kong.
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