More than a year after Paul Meekin, a British national, disappeared while facing trial for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy, the Bangalore police will request Interpol to issue a red corner notice against him.
The alleged assault took place in 2011 and came to light after parents of the boy filed a complaint in January 2012. Meekin was arrested in connection with another case — allegedly fabricating his educational qualification — the same year.
He was convicted in the fabrication case and sentenced to 13 months in prison. Upon his release, Meekin disappeared. At that time, he was being tried in the sexual assault case. He has skipped several court hearings since then.
Interestingly, while a red corner notice is sought assuming that a suspect has left the country, his passport is in the possession of the Kodigehalli police. While a non-bailable warrant was issued six months ago, the decision to approach Interpol was made after Meekin failed to appear for a court hearing last week.
“Although his passport is deposited with us, we are exploring all options. There are instances of people having multiple passports,” Vikash Kumar Vikash, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) said. Police have sought help from the British deputy high commissioner in Bangalore to serve court warrants to Meekin.
An official statement from the British Deputy High Commissioner in Bangalore said, “We are aware of the arrest of a British national Paul Meekin. We will not speculate on the circumstances surrounding his arrest. We don’t comment on ongoing investigations.”
