Delhi HC seeks status report on the alleged London pub rape case

The Delhi High Court has sought the status report from the Central government on a plea moved by an absconding accused wanted in an alleged rape case in the United Kingdom.

The petitioner has sought a direction for a full disclosure of evidence collected during the investigation for the alleged rape case at a London pub registered against him in London, UK, in May 2017. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh has issued directions to the Ministry of External Affairs to file a status report on the petition moved by Jose Inacio Cota, a Portuguese citizen of Indian origin. The court has listed the petition for hearing on March 11 2022.

Advocate Arpit Batra, counsel for the petitioner, argued that there is a treaty between India and the UK. The UK is bound to provide all the documents and evidence collected during the investigation against a person of Indian origin.

The petitioner who is originally a resident of Goa has moved a petition through advocate Arpit Batra.

The petition states that the petitioner has been roped into a false case in the UK, which is racially motivated and thus discriminatory and prejudicial toward the petitioner.

It also states that the alleged case was registered on May 28, 2017. The petitioner had flown from London to Mumbai on June 5, 2017. His arrest warrant was issued on June 11, 2019, by the UK Court. An extradition request was sent by the UK Government to the Ministry of External Affairs of India on September 18, 2020. A Complaint case was filed in Patiala House Court of New Delhi by the Central Government on March 26, 2021. An NBW was issued against the petitioner through the CBI Interpol on July 3, 2021.

(ANI)