Indian-origin physician Mukul Hazarika freed in terror cost extradition case in UK

An Indian-origin physician from Assam preventing in opposition to being extradited to India on a terror cost for allegedly being chairman of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) or ULFA (I) gained his authorized battle as he was discharged by a UK court docket on Thursday.

Dr Mukul Hazarika, 75, a British nationwide and common practitioner (GP) from Cleveland in northern England, was sought by the Indian authorities to be prosecuted for “waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against the Government of India and for conspiring to commit a terrorist act” underneath the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.

District Judge Michael Snow’s judgment at Westminster Magistrates’ Court stated the accused should be discharged because the particulars within the case weren’t happy.

“There is no admissible evidence that establishes that the defendant is Asom, the chairman of ULFA (I),” the choose concluded.

Hazarika was dubbed a “self-styled” Chairman of ULFA, a banned terrorist organisation in India.

“I conclude that there is no admissible evidence that provides the essential identification that the defendant was the chairman of ULFA(I) or gave the speech at the training camp. I am satisfied that a tribunal of fact, properly directed, could not reasonably and properly find that the defendant was Asom or convict on the basis of the evidence. I discharge the defendant pursuant to s84(5) 2003 [Extradition] Act,” he stated.

It had been alleged that Hazarika was also referred to as Abhijit Asom and was concerned in recruiting new “cadres” to ULFA “in and outside India, organising terrorist camps for launching attacks on Indian security forces thereby intending to wage war against the Government of India”.

Amongst different actions, he was accused of involvement within the recruitment of members in and outdoors India, organising terrorist coaching camps for launching assaults on Indian safety forces and civilians, and thereby the Indian authorities.

During a listening to final month (May), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) barrister Ben Llloyd appeared on behalf of the Indian authorities.

All the fees have been denied by the medical practitioner, whose barrister, Ben Cooper, asserted in court docket that the case in opposition to him “fails to get off the ground” due to a “conspicuous absence of substantive evidence”.

“He has a long background in human rights advocacy Although trained as a doctor, he is committed to open dialogue to defend the human rights of the people of Assam,” stated Cooper.

The different areas of focus within the case for the defence included human rights grounds of it being oppressive to extradite the 75-year-old medically susceptible GP to harsh Indian jail circumstances and the appreciable delays to justice anticipated with out bail on such a terror cost if he have been to be extradited.

Many of those grounds weren’t thought of related.

“I am satisfied that it is not oppressive or unjust to order his surrender,” Thursday’s ruling notes.

Meanwhile, Hazarika who was on bail underneath digital tag curfew provisions since his arrest by the UK’s extradition unit officers in June final 12 months will probably be freed of these circumstances.

The court docket had granted him permission to be positioned at a London handle during the listening to and can now return to Cleveland, the place he’s a Senior Partner at Queenstree Practice in Billingham.