Indian officials in Baku to bring back gangster on red corner notice

An Indian Anti-Terrorism Squad team has reached Baku to oversee the extradition of a wanted gangster, underscoring a steady security partnership between India and Azerbaijan despite lukewarm political ties compounded by the latter's political support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.

Gangster Mayank Singh was detained in Baku last year. His extradition is likely to take place by Saturday, according to people familiar with the matter.

Lawrence Bishnoi connection

Singh was placed on Interpol's red corner notice list and became the first gangster from Jharkhand to be arrested abroad and face extradition. He has had a long history of criminal activities and was closely associated with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Before fleeing India, he was implicated in high-profile offences across Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.

Despite leaving the country, Singh is alleged to have continued his criminal operations remotely, threatening Indian businessmen through internet calls and extorting money. On social media, he openly boasted of his activities, often sharing images of himself posing with assault weapons.

Deportation from Azerbaijan

Last year, another Indian gangster, Sanjeev Kumar alias Harsh, was detained in Azerbaijan and deported to India. Police arrested him at the Delhi airport upon his return from Baku.