Extradition of Sohel Rana hangs in the balance

The extradition of suspended Banani police inspector Sohel Rana, who was held by Indian Border Security Forces for trespassing, is uncertain as Delhi police are yet respond to Dhaka's call.

Talking to The Daily Star on Saturday, Mohiul Islam, assistant inspector general of National Central Bureau (NCB) of the Police Headquarters, expressed doubts about whether they were getting back Sohel anytime soon.

He said they sent two letters to the Indian interface of Interpol in New Delhi to enquire about Sohel and to start processing his extradition. However, the Indian counterpart did not respond to the emails.

"There is a case against him in India. From our experiences we can say as long as they have a case against him [Sohel], they would not hand him over until the trial is over," said Mohiul.

Sohel is allegedly involved with E-orange, an e-commerce platform which made headlines for reportedly embezzling

crores of taka by not delivering customers' products.

On September 4, Sohel was detained by the BSF on the Changrabandha border in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on charges of trespassing. Following the arrest, Sohel was suspended from his position.

"I don't know what they will do… they must make a response. However, it's not compulsory. We will give a gentle reminder again," said the police official.

He added that if that does not work, Gulshan police may approach the foreign ministry to start the process.

Meanwhile, official sources in New Delhi said NCB-Dhaka has written to India's CBI, the Indian interface of Interpol, in this regard.

Since Sohel is in West Bengal police custody, CBI needs to tell Bengal police to help in this matter. If no charge sheet has been filed against him so far in Bengal court, extradition process will be easy. If a charge sheet is filed, then it will require court permission, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

Talking to journalists, DMP Commissioner Shafiqul Islam earlier said bringing back Sohel from India won't be easy as there is a case filed against him there.

Meanwhile, investigators from several agencies are now looking into the wealth of Sohel and his family members, beyond the known sources of income, at home and abroad, after their involvement with e-orange came out in the open.

According to investigators, Sohel has several flats in Dhaka. He ran three business establishments and a number of dealerships of multinational companies. He also runs a business called T&G, with branches in Gulshan and Uttara.

He also has investments in few other countries.

Hailing from Gopalganj, he has over several bighas of land. Besides, he is a member of a number of elite clubs.

Investigators said that these businesses and wealth he accumulated in others' names.

On August 16, a customer, on behalf of others, filed a case against the owners and staffers of e-orange for reportedly embezzling around Tk 1,100 crore by not delivering their products.

A week later, another customer filed a case against Sohel and nine others for their alleged involvement in misappropriating Tk 88.98 lakh from investors.

After receiving a court order, Gulshan police recorded it as a regular case on September 2. Later that day, Sohel fled the country.

From the beginning, Sohel has been denying allegations of his involvement with e-orange.

However, his name as the director can be seen in the TIN certificate used to open the company called Orange Bangladesh. E-orange and Orange Bangladesh were at the same location in Gulshan.

There are allegations against him that he has withdrawn Tk 2.5 crore from the company at different times.

Aminul Islam, inspector (investigation) of Gulshan Police Station, who is investigating the cases, told The Daily Star that when they asked Sohel's sister Sonia Mahjabin about it, she told the investigators that Sohel withdrew the money on her request.

"So far, we found Sohel's involvement as director of Orange Bangladesh in its TIN certificate and withdrawal of the money as a carrier," Aminul said.