Press reports suggest Indo-Danish dipolmatic tussle!

There have been some reports suggesting that not all is rosy between Denmark and India. One German-language report has been already filed on this blog. Here one English-language report from the Indian Express, dated 16th Aug. 2011:

To get Kim Davy extradited, Delhi puts Denmark ties in deep freeze

Save for diplomatic presence, India has decided to shun all relations with Denmark to put pressure on Copenhagen to pursue the extradition of Purulia armsdrop mastermind Kim Davy.

Sources said a decision has been taken to “stall” economic activities with Copenhagen and even decline meeting its officials following an advisory from Secretary (West) Vivek Katju in the Ministry of External Affairs.

While the Home Ministry has sent a circular to all sections to collate “pending references with Denmark”, the Finance Ministry has issued a communiqué on “MEA’s instructions relating to Danish projects” with the directive that all agreements and projects with that country be conducted only after “prior consultations with the MEA”.

Katju’s letter to select ministries on August 3 says that Denmark’s relationship with India was at its lowest ebb following its refusal to pursue Davy’s extradition and that India must reciprocate by not entertaining that country at any level. His letter says that India must reciprocate Denmark’s non-cooperation in refusing to contest its high court’s verdict in the country’s Supreme Court.

As a result of strenuous diplomatic efforts by the Government, the Danish Government agreed to extradite Davy in April 2010 even though the two do not have an extradition treaty between them.

Davy appealed against the decision in the City Court which ruled against the extradition on November 1, 2010. The City Court’s decision was immediately appealed against by the Danish Government but the Eastern Court ruled on June 30 upholding the judgment of the City Court against the extradition.

The grounds cited by the Danish Court were possible violation of human rights in police and prison custody in India and the fact that India has not ratified the UN Convention against torture and inhuman punishment.

Home Minister P Chidambaram termed the verdict “disappointing.” He said the apprehensions were completely unfounded and that if Davy was extradited, he would be tried in an open court and would be produced before the court every day where he could complain to the judge if he needed to be medically examined or if there was any violation of human rights.

On July 6, Chidambaram had said that he wrote to External Affairs Minister S M Krishna requesting him to impress upon Denmark in the “strongest terms” that they must file an appeal and try to get a verdict which would enable Davy’s extradition to India. However, a day later, Danish Director of Public Prosecution announced the decision not to appeal.

Davy is accused of dropping sophisticated arms, including AK-47 assault rifles, anti-tank grenades, from a foreign plane on the fields of Purulia in West Bengal on the night of December 17, 1995. An Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued against him in 1996 on the CBI’s request.

Source: The Indian Express

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