A Danish court is poised to deliver its verdict on the extradition of Niels Holck, a 62-year-old Danish author, to India in connection with the infamous 1995 Purulia arms case. The verdict, scheduled for August 29th at 1 pm local time, follows a June 18th trial where Holck presented his final arguments. For decades, India has sought Holck’s extradition to face charges for his alleged role in dropping approximately four tons of weapons to a rebel movement in West Bengal. In 1995, Holck, along with other individuals, was accused of carrying out this operation. However, he managed to leave the country and has resided in Denmark since 1996. In 2011, the Eastern High Court in Denmark denied Holck’s extradition, citing concerns about potential torture if he were returned to India. However, in 2016, India issued a renewed extradition request, and in June 2023, the Danish Attorney General recommended Holck’s potential extradition. During his June court appearance, Holck expressed a strong preference for serving a prison sentence in Denmark rather than being extradited to India, fearing for his safety. He told the court, “I’d like to take my punishment, but I don’t want to go down and be killed.” Holck recounted his involvement in the operation, stating he delivered weapons to Ananda Marga, a group that received several tons of ammunition parachuted from the plane he was aboard. He asserted that the group needed these weapons for defense against “communist soldiers” in West Bengal. He maintained, “I never met anyone who believed in creating change through violence.” While India arrested all other individuals involved in the incident, Holck evaded capture. It’s important to note that, regardless of the court’s decision, both parties have the right to appeal to the Danish High Court. The verdict marks a significant moment in this decades-long legal battle, with the potential to impact the course of the Purulia arms case.
