The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is understood to have asked the Interpol to help apprehend fugitive terrorists and criminals, including gangster Dawood Ibrahim, known to be hiding in Pakistan.

Without specifically mentioning Pakistan it was stressed that Interpol Red Corner Notices (RCN) should be accorded greater legal validity and importance by Interpol’s 186 member countries (including Pakistan) so as to prevent “the free movement” of “dangerous criminals” and to enable the law enforcement authorities to bring these criminals to justice, sources told Deccan Herald.

The issue was raised by the CBI Chief Vijay Shanker with the Secretary General, Interpol, while exchanging views over issues concerning international police cooperation at a meeting here this week. India had sought Pakistan to hand over Ibrahim along with several other criminals, accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

He drew special attention to “certain fugitives” against whom Interpol - United Nations Security Council Special Notices exist but who were apparently left free to continue their activities from India’s neighbouring countries.

Apparently contrasting Pakistan’s refusal to handover Ibrahim to India, with that of Nepal, the CBI Director  highlighted the case of Dr Amit Kumar, the man accused in the illegal kidney transplants, who was apprehended in Nepal soon after issuance of an Interpol Red Corner Notice and was quickly deported to India.