Akansh Sen murder case: The hunt for Balraj Randhawa

A senior police officer said, “There are two reasons behind the conclusion that Balraj Singh Randhawa is hiding in US or Canada. First, we have adopted all possible methods to trace one person living in India. All efforts turned futile. The probe agency also failed to seize the passport of Balraj Singh Randhawa but as per details obtained from RPO, Chandigarh, the passport was later nullified. Second, an online communication from Randhawa’s email address with a bank in which has an account, from a US-based internet server. The transaction was not successful.”

SP (Crime) Manoj Kumar Meena said, “The answer to how Randhawa crossed the border and landed on foreign shores can only be given by Randhawa once he is extradited to India. We have no clue how he reached abroad.”

A source said, “There are cases of criminals obtaining new passports, merely changing the spellings of their names. We suspect Randhawa used the same tactic. We have a strong suspicion that he escaped through Nepal but are yet to confirm that.”

“These are very complicated issues. And especially with developed countries. It is not easy to convince the courts of a foreign country to extradite a suspect hiding in their state to India. The process can take years. Chandigarh Police will have to produce solid and concrete evidence about the presence of Balraj Randhawa in that particular country. And Chandigarh cops will have to visit the country where Randhawa is hiding,” said a senior immigration officer.

Current status of the case

Principal Home Secretary (UT) Arun Gupta has send a request along with the Letters of Rogatory (LR) issued by a local court to the Ministry of Home Affairs to take up the matter with the Canadian Embassy. SP (crime) Manoj Kumar Meena said, “We are on the right tracks. Most of the formalities have been completed.”
Before that, a Red Notice was issued to apprehend Randhawa by the CBI on the request of Chandigarh Police.

Cases in Punjab and Haryana High Court

At least two matters — including one from Randhawa’s kin demanding transfer of probe to CBI stating Chandigarh Police is harassing them, and the response of CBI being reluctant to take the investigation in its hands — are pending in Punjab and Haryana High Court. Randhawa’s mother Ramanjit Kaur is seeking a CBI probe. The matter is listed for hearing on December 13.