Indian officials have tried for three years to extradite Bolton greengrocer Tiger Hanif – accused of masterminding two separate bombings at a station in Surat, Gujarat.
An eight-year-old girl died and dozens were injured in the atrocities in 1993. According to Interpol, the 55-year-old is also wanted for “terrorist activities“.But during her time as Home Secretary, May failed to
ensure his removal. The papers of extradition had been sitting unsigned on the now Prime Minister’s desk since April 2014 – resulting in Hanif being allowed to stay in the UK, despite High Court judges dismissing a bid by his lawyers to prevent his departure. Lawyers representing Hanif have received at least £200,000 in legal aid and the costs continue to rise during their ongoing legal challenge.
Hanif, also known as Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel, arrived here illegally in 1996 after skipping bail in India following his arrest over the attacks.
He stayed in Britain despite making a failed asylum bid after claiming he was a Muslim being persecuted in the Hindu-dominated Gujarat region.
He went on to obtain a UK passport in 2005.
The fugitive was picked up by Scotland Yard’s extradition squad in February 2010 after India issued a request for his arrest.
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