CBI to seek Interpol help for extradition of LTTE chief

Decision on Tehelka tapes soon: U.S. Misra

MADURAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation will take up the extradition of the prime suspects in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and Mumbai serial blasts through Interpol, according to U. S. Misra, its director.

In an interview to The Hindu here on Tuesday, Mr. Misra, who is also the vice-president of Interpol, said: "Extradition is not an exclusive domain of the CBI. Extradition treaty and legal assistance arrangements have to be looked into. The delay lies there."

On the delay in apprehending LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran, his associate Pottu Amman, Dawood Ibrahim and Memon brothers, he said the issue would also be taken up at the executive body meeting of Interpol in February. The United Nations had declared 158 suspects as global terrorists, including Dawood Ibrahim. "Until and unless these criminals are handed over, investigation is not complete. The Special Investigation Team led by the former CBI Director, D.R. Kaarthikeyan, did wonderful work in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case."

Defence deals

The CBI, he said, was examining the Tehelka tapes in the defence deals. "The tapes have been sent for examination to the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory. We will take a decision soon."

On the Kargil war-related complaints, the Defence Ministry had sent the report of the CAG to the agency. While registering four cases, the investigating officials had initiated preliminary enquiry into two deals. "Of the 47 complaints, we have referred some back to the Ministry, recommending departmental action. On the charges in the Denel defence deal, we have completed local verification. A letter rogatory is being sent to South Africa to enable a team's visit for further investigation."

Asked how senior officials against whom cases were registered on charges of corruption during recent raids escaped the surveillance of vigilance officials within their organisations, Mr. Misra said tackling corruption was the primary duty of any head of department.

"Unfortunately many Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) are not working properly in most of the public sector undertakings and Government departments. If they function well, corruption will definitely go down. This is because a person can be easily thrown out through disciplinary proceedings than dragging him to the court for 20 long years."

The CVOs/HODs were empowered to initiate departmental action against corrupt officials. "Usually somebody in the rank of Deputy Secretary or Joint Secretary is made in charge of vigilance and there is no appointment of regular senior officials for these posts. The CVOs need more autonomy to carry on with their job independently."

The CBI Director expressed serious concern over the huge pendency of cases in courts. Senior officials in the CBI were made accountable for delay in investigation or filing charge sheets.

"But about the court and trial, it is in a very bad position. Cases are taking a long time. There are so many factors contributing to this delay. It is not the cases of CBI alone. The number of cases pending trial in different courts in the country is mind-boggling."

Volkswagen deal

On the Volkswagen deal, he said there was information that Helmuth Schuster, former Head of Volkswagen (India), was in Germany.

"We will be writing to the German authorities seeking his extradition".

Mr. Misra said there was a shortage of investigation officers.

The Centre was seriously considering a proposal to provide special pay and housing facilities to attract officials on deputation.

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