London: The British government will extradite on October 18 Indian national Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel, an accused in the post-Godhra riots case in Gujarat in 2002, an official release said on Monday.
The extradition of Patel from the United Kingdom is the first such case after the signing of the treaty between the two countries in 1992. His extradition to stand trial in India follows the government of India’s request in this regard, a release by the Indian High Commission here said.
“Following Government of India’s request for extradition, Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel, an Indian national, is being extradited on 18th October 2016 to face trial in India. Patel is facing trial in connection with post-Godhra riots in India in 2002. He is charged with the offence under Section 302 of the IPC, along with 43 other accused. The offences include being member of an unlawful assembly; rioting and murder. The accused was arrested in India and was on bail and after jumping bail had escaped to the UK,”” the Indian High Commission said in a statement on Monday.
Scotland Yard had arrested 40-year-old Patel in west London in August on a Red Corner Notice issued by the Indian authorities. His extradition order was signed by UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd on September 22 and now the “surrender arrangements” have been finalised.
Patel is charged with various offences under the Indian Penal Code, along with 43 other accused, pertaining to murder, rioting and being a member of an unlawful assembly.
According to the Gujarat Police, Patel is wanted in connection with riots in Ode village of Anand district. A team of officials from India will take him into their custody to fly back to India today.
On March 1, 2002, 23 people from the Muslim community were burnt alive in a house in Pirwali Bhagol area of Ode village. Patel along with two others, who are still at large, is accused of being part of the riot mob at that time. Patel’s whereabouts were traced to a home in Hounslow, west London, after which Scotland Yard arrested him on August 9.
Patel was arrested in India but released on bail. He jumped bail and escaped to the UK.
