SC refuses to direct Centre for deportation of Mohd Fasih

After going through all the correspondence between the Centre and the Saudi Arabia government, a bench of justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi said it is for the Centre to pursue the case further as it cannot pass any direction for bringing him back.

"We are convinced on the basis of these correspondences that the government has taken steps. We cannot direct the Saudi Arbia government in this regard," the bench said.

Additional Solicitor General Gourav Banerjee informed the court that Bihar native Fasih Mohammed, alleged to be involved in several terror acts in the country, is in the custody of Saudi Arabia police and the government is trying to get access to him through diplomatic channel.

He also told the court that the government will take steps for his extradition or deportation.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by Fasih's wife Nikhat Parveen, who had alleged that her husband had been picked up by a joint team of the Indian and Saudi officials on May 13 for his purported terror links and his whereabouts were not known ever since then.

The court, after hearing government's contention, disposed of the case saying he has been tracked and it is for the government to pursue the case further.

Advocate Naushad Ahmad Khan, appearing for Parveen, pleaded with the court not to dispose of the case as Fasih would be released from jail in Saudi Arbia where he has been in detention for the last 104 days. (More)