Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s confidence has surprised both the Punjab police and central agencies who have been trying to lay hands on Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar, the main mastermind in the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala on May 29.
If senior government sources are to be believed, it may be a case of a slip between the cup and lip, as it appears that Brar had been detained for a local crime in the United States a few days ago, not particularly based on the Red Corner Notice issued by the Interpol on the request of the CBI.
However, hours after news started coming of Brar being detained in the United States, Mann said, ‘’We will definitely bring Goldy Brar to India as per the treaty with America so that the families who have lost their sons and daughters find some solace.''
Mann clearly has a tall order before him now to bring Brar to India, a swoop that can bring laurels to the Aam Aadmi Party which is trying to give a political challenge to the BJP, or earn him brickbats if he fails to fulfil the promise.
Given the long legal processes involved and deportations, not an easy task, as seen in several instances in the past- despite Red Corner Notices being issued against most wanted fugitives as well as terrorists- it can be a challenge for the chief minister.
“An official request for extradition will be placed. The paperwork will be done,’’ said an official. It is an uphill task thereafter. However, Mann has faith in the CBI, which is the nodal agency for Interpol Red Corner Notices in the country, to take up the RCN issue in an effective manner with their counterpart in the US.
Security officials in New Delhi said if Brar had been in the FBI loop over India’s RCN request, it could have paved an easier path for Indian agencies to lay hands on him but legal challenges can be mounted by Brar and difficulties could be faced in legal processes in the US if that is not the case.
Brar was based in Canada but he moved to the US sometime back, which not only created a buzz in security agencies who were tracking him but also in the Khalistani network, which is not only strong in Canada but also allegedly funded by their well-oiled networks in the US. This network will also try to keep Brar out of the grip of Indian authorities, said an official.
However, keeping Goldy Brar in the headlines is also beneficial for the Khalistanis who are constantly trying to show money and muscle power to attract more youth, especially the vulnerable or jobless in Punjab as well as those living on foreign shores.
Besides the Moosewala killing, Brar is accused of killing a youth Congress leader Gurlal Pehalwan in 2021. He is wanted for murder, targeted killings, extortion and terrorist activities punishable under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, and drugs and weapons trafficking.
Brar seemed to have caught the attention of the FBI on drug trafficking charges even as he applied for asylum in the US. At the time of being asked to appear for questioning before the investigating agency, security agencies in India were alerted and Indian authorities got in touch with the US state department.
“The government will pursue his case and try to bring him back as per the legal procedure,” sources said.
But the political mileage being drawn out of the developments seems to have added a twist to the Goldy Brar story for now. The AAP and BJP have been at loggerheads on several issues including security challenges facing the border state. Will Mann get lucky or give another chance to his political opponents remains to be seen in the coming days.
