New Delhi: Ramanjit Singh ‘Romi’, a key accused in the Nabha jail break is all set to be extradited to India on Thursday. A court in Hong Kong, where he has been hiding, accepted the India government’s appeal for extradition. A team of Punjab Police will bring back Romi from Hong Kong. He is expected to land in New Delhi this evening by 4 pm.
Who is Ramanjit Singh ‘Romi’?
Ramanjit Singh Romi had been put on the global watch lis by the Interpol after a request was made by Indian intelligence agencies. He has been in custody of the Hong Kong Police since 2018 after a red corner notice was issued against him by the Interpol in 2017.
The man is accused in 2 serious criminal cases in India and the authorities wanted him to surrender at the earliest. He is also involved with some of the campaigners of ‘Referendum 2020’ and police need to question him for that too. He reportedly supported the ‘Referendum movements’ which have been gaining ground in Germany, Canada and the UK. The Indian investigators linked some of the gangsters of Punjab (including Romi) and some ISI operators, working with the separatists (those demanding Khalistan).
In the Nabha jailbreak several gangsters reached the jail, dressed as police officials and helped at least 6 prisoners, all of whom were big time gangsters, flee. Ramanjit Singh Romi had a key role in the whole act, according to police. He reportedly helped with arms, logistic support and also provided money to the gangsters who broke into the jail.
He was earlier booked in an Arms Act case but he got bail in the case and then fled the country in 2016. In February 2024, he was charged with robbery totalling up to a value of HK$32.6 million. The robbery happened in Hong Kong, but prosecutors dropped charges and thus he will now be extradited to India.
According to the state police, Romi was the middleman between the state gangsters and terrorists. He helped Punjab’s dreaded gangster Vicky Gounder procure an assault rifle. He was also involved in funding gangsters in the state, said police. He also has several smuggling cases (of drugs and arms) registered against him, they added.