Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 03 July 2023
In a significant move, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), under the direction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has taken steps to transfer at least 15 notorious gangsters presently imprisoned in jails across Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The NIA had previously sent a letter to the MHA, requesting the relocation of a total of 25 gangsters from Northern Indian prisons to those situated in Southern states. Among the names listed for transfer was Lawrence Bishnoi, the primary accused in the high-profile murder case involving singer and politician Sidhu Moosewala.
MHA sources revealed that an initial proposal sought the gangsters’ transfer to South Indian jails. However, the process of obtaining necessary permissions from the respective state governments was expected to be time-consuming.
“Since the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a Union territory, and its administration falls under the purview of the MHA, the relocation process is expected to be expedited,” the MHA sources were quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
The NIA is presently seeking legal counsel to ensure a seamless and swift procedure for the transfer of these dangerous criminals.
The move to relocate the gangsters to a distant location, away from their previous operational bases, is seen as a strategic measure to curb their criminal activities and prevent them from orchestrating further acts of violence. By transferring them to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the authorities aim to disrupt their existing networks and ensure the safety and security of the general public.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, being a Union territory, offer a unique advantage in handling such transfers, bypassing the complexities involved in obtaining approvals from multiple state governments. The decision highlights the government’s commitment to effectively combat organized crime and maintain law and order across the nation.