Thane firing case: Absconding accused held at Delhi airport after Interpol Red Corner Notice

An accused wanted in connection with a 2023 extortion and attempted murder case in Thane district was detained at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Monday police saidAkhtar Kasamali Merchant who had been absconding in the case was intercepted by central immigration authorities at the airport at 1224 pm following the issuance of a NonBailable Warrant NBW and an Interpol Red Corner Notice RCN against himOfficials of the MiraBhayandar VasaiVirar MBVV Police Commissionerate subsequently took Merchant into custody and produced him before the Patiala House CourtCase dates back to 2023 firing attemptThe case relates to an incident on October 13 2023 when an unidentified man entered the International Baking Company in Mira Road in Thane district and allegedly attempted to open fire with a pistolThe firearm failed to discharge but the incident was captured on CCTV cameras The footage helped investigators identify the individuals allegedly linked to the network behind the attackFollowing the investigation Kashimira Police registered a case under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCAPolice identify alleged role in conspiracyDuring the investigation police allegedly found evidence indicating Merchants involvement in the conspiracy Authorities subsequently obtained an NBW against himAs Merchant remained untraceable an Interpol Red Corner Notice was also issued to help authorities locate and detain him if he was identified by law enforcement or immigration authorities in another countryThe notice enabled authorities to flag his details internationally and contributed to his interception when he was identified at the Delhi airportAccused produced before Patiala House CourtAfter Merchant was detained at IGI Airport the police team moved quickly to secure his transit remand so that he could be taken to Maharashtra for further investigationWe moved the Patiala House Court immediately after the detention requesting custody to transfer the accused back to Maharashtra for further investigation under MCOCA The court considered our submission and granted a 5day transit remand until August 22 2026 stated Assistant Police Inspector API Yogesh Kale of the Kashimira Police StationThe Patiala House Court directed the police team to produce Merchant before the Special Judge of the MCOCA court in Thane after his arrival in MaharashtraThe transit remand allows the police to bring the accused from Delhi to Maharashtra to face proceedings in the casePolice to investigate larger conspiracyKashimira Police are now taking Merchant back to Maharashtra for further questioning and investigation into the alleged conspiracyThe investigation is expected to focus on Merchants alleged role in the 2023 firing attempt and his links with other individuals suspected to be involved in the caseThe Kashimira Police are bringing the accused back to Maharashtra to unveil the larger conspiracy Kale addedWith inputs from PTI