Gujarat Riots Accused, Samir Patel, to be Extradited From UK

File photo of 2002 Gujarat riots; Samir Vinubhai Patel on CBI wanted List. (Photo: Reuters/CBI/Altered by The Quint)

A 40-year-old man wanted in India in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat will be extradited from the UK on Tuesday, to stand trial in India, the Indian High Commission in London said.

Samir Vinubhai Patel was arrested by Scotland Yard in west London in August on a Red Corner Notice issued by the Indian authorities.

His extradition order was signed by UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd on 22 September and now the "surrender arrangements" have been finalised.

It marks the first extradition from the UK since the signing of the India-UK Extradition Treaty in 1992.

According to Gujarat Police, Patel is wanted in connection with riots in Ode village of Anand district.

A team of officials from India will take him into their custody to fly back to India.

He is accused, whilst being part of a rioting mob, of three counts of murder, two counts of using unlawful violence with others for a common purpose and one count of arson.

UK Home Office spokesperson

On 1 March 2002, 23 people of the Muslim community were burnt alive in a house in Pirwali Bhagol area of Ode village.

Patel along with two others, who are still at large, is accused of being part of the riot mob at that time.

Patel's whereabouts were traced to a home in Hounslow, west London, after which Scotland Yard arrested him on 9 August.

We can confirm that Patel has consented to his extradition to India. However, we are unable to comment on any surrender arrangements as this is an operational matter for the police.

UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) statement