The United Arab Emirates has requested additional documentation from India to proceed with the extradition of Hussain Shattaf, the primary suspect in the 2006 murder of Captain Manmohan Singh Virdi. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed it is processing this requirement to advance the long-stalled trial. This update follows renewed efforts by the victim's family to seek government intervention for justice.
India is moving forward with the extradition process for Hussain Shattaf, the primary suspect in the 2006 murder of retired Merchant Navy officer Captain Manmohan Singh Virdi. The United Arab Emirates has requested additional documentation from New Delhi, marking a procedural development in a case that has remained stalled for nearly two decades.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday that the request for supplementary papers has been received. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the government is actively working to provide the required documents to the UAE authorities. The extradition of Shattaf, who has reportedly resided in the UAE since fleeing the country, is a central focus for the victim's family, who recently intensified their campaign by approaching the Prime Minister's Office for intervention to expedite the process.
Shattaf, also known as Hussain Mehboob Khokhawala, is accused of murdering Captain Virdi in Lonavala, Maharashtra, in 2006. Following the incident, he allegedly fled India to avoid prosecution. Beyond the murder charges, the accused faces legal scrutiny for various other allegations, including forgery, criminal breach of trust, and passport fraud. Investigations have suggested that he allegedly obtained an Indian passport through false information and fabricated a marriage certificate to secure residency in the UAE.
The victim's family has maintained a long-standing effort to bring the accused to justice, arguing that the murder trial has been effectively unable to proceed without his presence. With the MEA currently compiling the requested documentation, the matter remains a subject of ongoing bilateral coordination between India and the UAE. The next steps will involve the submission of these papers, which are necessary to satisfy the legal and procedural requirements of the extradition request.