The government on Wednesday ruled out recalling the 50 most-wanted list given to Pakistan after two fugitives figuring in it were traced in India.
Sources in the Union home ministry said, “India will not recall the list from Pakistan. If Pakistan officially asks for an updated list of the most-wanted, India will definitely provide. There are media reports that Islamabad may ask India to give an updated list of most-wanted terrorists”. The entire list is being reviewed by the concerned agencies, including the CBI, sources said adding that it will take some time.
Sources also said that the home ministry will conduct an exercise to ensure that there is no such mistake in the future. CBI director A.P. Singh has also ordered a complete review of the Interpol wing and the most-wanted list will be thoroughly scrutinised in consultation with the state police and other agencies.
India’s list of ‘’50 most-wanted’’ has the name of Feroz Abdul Khan, alias Hamza, 51, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai blast case, who was arrested from a village in Navi Mumbai in February 2010 and was handed over to the CBI for further investigation. The CBI had issued an Interpol red corner notice against Khan in 1994 but the notice was not withdrawn even after the agency got his custody.
“The CBI conveyed to the ministry that the lapse was on the agency’s part. When the CBI forwarded the list to the MHA, they forgot to delete the name of this person,” sources said. Khan is alleged to have facilitated transport and distribution of arms during the blast. The Mumbai police had alleged that following Dawood’s instructions, Khan arranged for landing of arms allegedly used in the blast.