The Danish High Court is likely to pronounce on Thursday its verdict on whether Niels Holck alias Kim Davy, the main accused in the 1995 Purulia arms drop case, could be extradited to India or not.
Kim Davy is contesting the extradition order given by the Danish government in April 2010. He has not been contesting evidence or the investigation done by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the case. On several occasions, he has largely admitted his role, in the Danish courts and to the media. His arguments in courts have focussed mainly on alleged poor prison conditions and human rights issues in India.
In an interview to an Indian TV news channel in April, Davy claimed that the arms drop was masterminded by the Indian agencies in a bid to destabilise the Left Front-ruled West Bengal government and his escape from Mumbai airport was also facilitated, a claim denied by the CBI and the authorities here.
A CBI spokesperson said on Wednesday that the case in the High Court was between the Danish government and Davy and the agency was not a party. “The CBI is merely assisting the Danish prosecutor. The agency is keen to seek Kim Davy's extradition so that he can be tried in India,” CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said. A CBI team visited Denmark recently to assist the authorities there.
Thursday's verdict may not be the final one as there are chances of appeal in the Supreme Court of Denmark from both the parties. Generally, two weeks are given for such appeals.
