CBI takes custody of alleged economic offender Monika Kapoor in US, ends 20-year chase

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The CBI has secured the extradition of fugitive Monika Kapoor from the United States, ending a two-decade-long pursuit in connection with a 2002 import-export fraud case.

New Delhi [India], July 9 (HBTV): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully secured the extradition of fugitive Monika Kapoor from the United States, ending a two-decade-long pursuit in connection with a 2002 import-export fraud case.

According to a statement issued by the CBI, Monika Kapoor—proprietor of Monika Overseas—allegedly conspired with her brothers, Rajan Khanna and Rajiv Khanna, to forge export documents such as shipping bills, invoices, and bank certificates of export and realisation in 1998. Based on these forged documents, they obtained six replenishment licences for the import of duty-free gold worth INR 2.36 crore.

In furtherance of the conspiracy, the accused sold the licences to Deep Exports, Ahmedabad, at a premium. Deep Exports used these licences to import duty-free gold, causing a loss of INR 1.44 crore to the government exchequer in 1998, the agency said.

Upon completion of the investigation, a chargesheet was filed on March 31, 2004, against Monika Kapoor, Rajan Khanna, and Rajiv Khanna under Sections 120-B read with 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Saket District Court, New Delhi, convicted Rajan Khanna and Rajiv Khanna on December 20, 2017.

However, Monika Kapoor evaded investigation and trial. She was declared a proclaimed offender by the trial court on February 13, 2006. An open non-bailable warrant for her arrest was issued on April 26, 2010, and a Red Corner Notice was subsequently issued. The CBI had submitted an extradition request to U.S. authorities on October 19, 2010.

Following extensive coordination with officials in the United States, a CBI team travelled to the U.S. to take custody of the fugitive.

'This extradition marks a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice and reiterates CBI's commitment to bringing fugitives to face the law in India, irrespective of international boundaries,' the agency stated.

The CBI team is returning to India with Monika Kapoor, who will be produced before the appropriate court and will now face trial.

The agency reaffirmed its resolve to combat economic offences and stated it will continue using all legal avenues to ensure that fugitives are brought to justice.

(ANI)