MEA says it is probing how 1993 Mumbai blast accused Farooq Takla renewed passport despite red corner notice

The External Affairs Ministry on Friday said that the issue of Farooq Takla, an aide of Dawood Ibrahim, getting his passport renewed in 2011 despite a red corner notice against him, is a serious one. Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, in a press conference, said that the matter is being investigated.

There's a way to issue & renew passport. We are finding out how this took place in his case. It is very clear that he is a fugitive and is wanted by the Govt of India. We were in touch with the Dubai govt and they have deported him: Raveesh Kumar, MEA Spokesperson on Farooq Takla pic.twitter.com/KE6Zc9hQqJ

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2018

Kumar added, “It is very clear that he is a fugitive and is wanted by the Government of India. We were in touch with the Dubai government and they have deported him.” Mohamed Farooq alias Farooq Takla , a key accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and a close aide of fugitive mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to India on Wednesday. [caption id=“attachment_4381645” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File photo of Farooq Takla. News18[/caption] Takla was brought to Mumbai on Thursday and taken to the CBI offices for questioning. The MEA spokesperson on Friday was responding to a question after reports emerged that Takla’s passport was renewed in February 2011. He had procured a fake passport using false documents in Dubai which was renewed in 2011, ABP News reported. According to CNN News18, the process took just 24 hours, and Takla’s passport was renewed despite a red corner notice issued against him.

#BREAKING Govt Sources: Top UPA leader under the scanner for issuing Indian passport to Farooq Takla. #Faceoff with @Zakka_Jacob #DawoodAideHeld pic.twitter.com/5CN9jeFww6

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 8, 2018

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Takla faces criminal conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means and several other charges. Interpol had issued a red corner notice against him in 1995. At least 257 people were killed, over 700 injured and properties worth crores destroyed in the serial blasts that rocked Mumbai on 12 March, 1993. At least 27 other accused in the case, including dreaded mafia dons Ibrahim Kaskar and Tiger Memon, who masterminded the blasts, continue to elude the investigators and are declared absconders. With inputs from agencies