Ramanjit Singh, the mastermind behind the audacious 2016 Nabha jailbreak, has finally been apprehended and brought back to India to face justice. Known as Romi, Singh was arrested on Thursday in Delhi following his extradition from Hong Kong. The operation was a collaborative effort between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Punjab Police, signifying the international cooperation involved in bringing this fugitive to justice.
Romi, a key conspirator in the Nabha jailbreak, was wanted by Indian authorities for his role in the escape of six hardened criminals, including two terrorists. The escape from the maximum-security Nabha jail in Punjab sent shockwaves across India. It was a meticulously planned operation, involving an attack on the prison with indiscriminate firing, and the escapees included notorious figures like Harjinder Singh alias Vicky Gounder and terrorists Harminder Mintoo and Kashmir Singh Galwaddi. While Gounder was later killed in a police encounter, the other escapees were eventually apprehended.
Romi’s involvement in the jailbreak was extensive. He is accused of providing financial and logistical support to the escapees, supplying weapons and fake IDs to facilitate their access to the prison, and funding their preparations for the escape.
Following the jailbreak, Romi was arrested in June 2016 in a case involving weapons recovery and fake credit cards. However, he was released on bail in August 2016 and fled to Hong Kong. He was eventually apprehended in Hong Kong in February 2018 on charges of robbery.
The Punjab Police initiated the extradition process in 2018. They worked tirelessly to secure a provisional arrest warrant, submitting a strong case to the Hong Kong Department of Justice and the Hon’ble Courts.
After years of legal proceedings and international cooperation, Romi’s extradition was finally approved. A Punjab Police team, accompanied by Assistant Inspector General H S Virk and Deputy Superintendent of Police Bikramjit Singh Brar, flew him back to India.
Romi’s arrest and extradition mark a significant victory in the fight against organized crime and terrorism in India. It demonstrates the commitment of Indian law enforcement agencies to bringing criminals to justice, regardless of their location. The successful extradition also highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crime and ensuring that fugitives are held accountable for their actions.
