Reported By Vimal Kaushik
In a breakthrough, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is in the process of extraditing Monika Kapoor, an Indian national wanted for a multi-crore fraud case, from the United States. The Investigation Agency confirmed that Kapoor, the prime accused, has been evading government officials for nearly 26 years.
Who Is Monika Kapoor? Absconding Since 1999
Monica, who owned the firm named ‘Monika Overseas’, conspired with two of her brothers, Rajan and Rajeev Khanna, in 1998 to forge shipping bills, invoices, and bank documents. These fake documents were used to obtain ‘replenishment licenses’ from the government, which allowed the purchase of duty-free gold worth about Rs 2.36 crore. They sold these licenses later at a premium to an Ahmedabad-based firm, Deep Exports, which imported duty-free gold. Due to this, the government reportedly suffered a financial loss of about Rs 1.44 crore.
About The Case
CBI filed a chargesheet on 31 March 2004 against Monika and her brothers. A Delhi Court convicted Rajan and Rajeev on December 20, 2017; however, Kapoor had left India by then. After failing to appear for trial, the court declared her a fugitive on February 13, 2006 and issued a red corner notice followed in 2010. The CBI had also sought Monica’s extradition from America in the same year.
After consistent coordination with US agencies, a CBI team travelled to the US and returned with Kapoor in custody. Now she will be produced before the court to face trial. Meanwhile, CBI said that it is fully committed to a crackdown against economic crimes and will bring all fugitives and miscreants who have fled the country, no matter where in the world they are.
