Captain Manmohan Singh Virdi’s family has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the extradition of murder accused Hussain Mohammad Shattaf from the UAE. The appeal underlines how the restored trial in the 2006 case remains stalled until the accused is brought before the court.
Nearly two decades after the murder of retired Merchant Navy officer Captain Manmohan Singh Virdi, his family has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the extradition of the prime accused, Hussain Mohammad Shattaf, from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saying justice has remained elusive due to the prolonged delay.
In a representation submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the victim’s brother and the original complainant, retired Captain Manjeet Singh Virdi, urged the Centre to ensure Shattaf’s early extradition so that the long-pending murder trial can proceed.
“The accused has remained outside India for years, preventing the trial from moving forward. We have waited nearly 20 years for justice,” the family said.
MURDER TRIAL REMAINS STALLED
The case relates to an FIR registered at Lonavala City Police Station in Pune in 2006. It is currently pending before the Sessions Court at Vadgaon Maval as Sessions Case No. 5 of 2024.
According to the family, despite the restoration of the murder case, the trial has made no progress because the accused has not appeared before the court.
They alleged that Shattaf has continued to evade the legal process despite facing serious criminal charges, leaving the victim’s family waiting for justice for nearly two decades.
SUPREME COURT REVIVED THE CASE
The family said they had challenged a Bombay High Court order discharging the accused before the Supreme Court. On May 18, 2023, the apex court set aside the High Court’s order and restored the murder trial, paving the way for fresh proceedings against the accused.
