Officials see this renewed effort as part of a broader strategy to leverage bilateral agreements and diplomatic channels to ensure accountability, regardless of how much time has passed since a crime was committed
India has renewed its push to bring back fugitive Hussain Mohammed Shattaf, also known as Hussain Mehboob Khokhawala, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with the 2006 murder of retired Merchant Navy Captain Manmohan Singh Virdi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that formal extradition proceedings have been set in motion, underscoring the government’s stated resolve to pursue long-pending criminal cases across borders.
According to MEA officials, the extradition request was forwarded last week to the Indian Embassy in the UAE, where Shattaf is believed to be living illegally. Authorities allege that he has been using forged documents to remain in the country after fleeing India following the crime nearly two decades ago. “The Government of India has initiated the necessary formalities for extraditing the fugitive from the UAE,” an official said, reiterating India’s commitment to ensuring that accused persons face trial under Indian law.
Shattaf is the prime accused in the murder of Captain Virdi, whose body was discovered at his bungalow in Lonavala, Maharashtra, on May 14, 2006. The case was registered as FIR No. 46/2006 at the Lonavala City Police Station. Investigators have maintained that Shattaf played a central role in the killing, which sent shockwaves through both maritime and expatriate communities at the time.
-
Beyond the murder charge, Shattaf is also wanted in multiple other cases, including forgery, criminal breach of trust, and procuring a passport using false information
-
Officials allege that after escaping India, he fabricated a marriage certificate to secure residency rights in the UAE
-
His Indian passport, which was issued in 2019, expired in 2021, further complicating his legal status abroad
Captain Manmohan Singh Virdi was a respected figure, known not only for his service in the Merchant Navy but also for his contributions to architecture and urban design. He is credited as being among the individuals associated with the architectural vision of Muscat, the capital of Oman, lending the case an added layer of prominence due to his professional legacy.
India and the UAE have, in recent years, strengthened cooperation on legal and security matters, including extradition of wanted individuals.
