Gulshan Kumar murder: CBI sets ball rolling for convict’s extradition

The Crime Branch had earlier informed the court that they have approached the Interpol wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation to trace and bring back the absconding convict Abdul Rauf Merchant. According to sources Merchant was traced and captured in Bangladesh about 15 days back.

A senior officer from the Crime Branch had filed a report stating that they have approached the CBI to locate the convict and bring him back. According to Deshmukh,the report said that Rauf is likely to be in Bangladesh because of which CBI’s help was sought. The court was hearing an appeal against conviction filed by Merchant as well as the state’s appeal against acquittal of other 16 accused including film producer Ramesh Taurani. Merchant reportedly went missing after he was released on parole last year.

The court had last month sought a report from Crime Branch Chief Rakesh Maria on the whereabouts of Merchant.

Gulshan Kumar was shot dead in August 1997,outside a temple in suburban Andheri. According to the prosecution,his rivals had paid money to gangster Abu Salem to eliminate him. However,the trial court only convicted Rauf and acquitted others.