CBI's Big Catch: Monica Kapoor Extradited from US After 23 Years

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has achieved a great success in bringing Monica Kapoor, who was absconding in a 23-year-old case, from America to India. The CBI team is bringing Monica, accused in the import-export scam, from America to India.

The CBI was searching for Monika Kapoor for the last two decades. After this extradition, the search for her is now over. The CBI said in a press release, "After a two-decade-long effort, Monika Kapoor, the wanted accused in the import-export scam, has been successfully extradited from the US."

According to the investigating agency CBI, Monica Kapoor, the owner of Monica Overseas, had planned the fraud along with her brothers Rajan Khanna and Rajiv Khanna. A big import-export fraud was carried out by creating fake shipping bills, invoices and bank certificates.

He obtained six replenishment licences through forged documents, allowing him to import duty-free gold worth Rs 2.36 crore.

The CBI press release mentioned that these licenses were sold to an Ahmedabad-based firm 'Deep Exports' at a premium. 'Deep Exports' used them to import duty-free gold. This caused a loss of Rs 1.44 crore to the government exchequer in the year 1998.

The CBI completed the investigation of this case and filed a charge sheet against Monica Kapoor, Rajan Khanna and Rajiv Khanna on 31 March 2004. After this, the Saket Court convicted Rajan and Rajiv Khanna on 20 December 2017.

However, in the meantime, Monica Kapoor did not participate in the investigation and hearing. Due to this, on 13 February 2006, the court declared Monica a fugitive. On 26 April 2010, a non-bailable arrest warrant and Interpol Red Corner Notice were issued against Monica.

According to the CBI, the extradition request was made to the US authorities on October 19, 2010. Similarly, after coordinating with the US authorities for several years and following the legal process, a CBI team recently went to the US and took Monica Kapoor into custody.

At present, the CBI team is returning to India with Monika Kapoor. The CBI said that Monika Kapoor will be produced in the concerned court and a case will be filed against her.

The press release said that CBI is committed in its fight against economic crimes and will continue to pursue all legal avenues to bring the fugitives to justice, regardless of international boundaries.