DUBAI // Dubai Police have this morning denied reports from New Delhi authorities that an Indian fugitive accused of taking part in a Dh9.5 million fraud with the former chief minister of the state of Jharkhand, Madu Koda, was arrested in Dubai.
Sanjay Kumar Choudhary was tracked down in Dubai less than a month after authorities received information from Interpol, according to an official with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi. The bureau said it was now taking steps to extradite Mr Choudhary from the UAE.
But Dubai Police told The National that the arrest was not made and that they were surprised that Indian authorities "would announce something which is not true".
"The Indian authorities have inquired about this person from us but we have not arrested him," said Brigadier Khalil Al Mansouri, head of the Criminal Investigation Department. "If he was arrested there would be no reason for us to hide it," he added.
Mr Choudhary is accused of conspiring with Mr Koda to fraudulently receive Rs. 13 crore (Dh9.5 million) from a Mumbai-based company in exchange for granting a lease for iron-ore mining in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand.
“Choudhary has definitely been arrested, we have that confirmed; he is in police custody in Dubai,” said Dharini Mishra, the CBI spokeswoman in New Delhi. “Now our embassy will take up his extradition with the Dubai authorities. He was arrested ?within a month of Interpol issuing the RCN (red corner notice).”
Dubai Police will contact Indian authorities to clarify why information could be released "that could cause an embarrassment to both parties", Brigadier Al Mansouri said.
A spokesman from the Indian Consulate said there was no comment on any arrest.
pkannan@thenational.ae
wissa@thenational.ae
*With additional reporting by Ramola Talwar Badam
