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Purulia arms drop case: Difference between revisions
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The '''Purulia arms drop case''' is the legal case regarding an incident on 17 December 1995 in which unauthorised arms were dropped from an [[Antonov An-26]] aircraft in [[Purulia district]] in the state of [[West Bengal]] in [[India]]. The chief accused "Kim Davy" (real name [[Niels Holck]], alias Niels Christian Nielsen) claims that it was a conspiracy of the Congress [[Government of India|Indian government]] together with [[Research and Analysis Wing|RAW]] and [[MI5]] to overthrow the communist government in [[West Bengal]] and he was given assurances from the central government about his safety and return to Denmark. He further alleges that MP [[Pappu Yadav]], who is in touch with the [[Prime Minister of India]] facilitated his safe exit from India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-29/kolkata/29486692_1_arms-drop-kim-davy-purulia | work=The Times Of India | title=Delhi okayed Purulia arms drop: Davy | date=29 April 2011}}</ref> | The '''Purulia arms drop case''' is the legal case regarding an incident on 17 December 1995 in which unauthorised arms were dropped from an [[Antonov An-26]] aircraft in [[Purulia district]] in the state of [[West Bengal]] in [[India]]. The chief accused "Kim Davy" (real name [[Niels Holck]], alias Niels Christian Nielsen) claims that it was a conspiracy of the Congress [[Government of India|Indian government]] together with [[Research and Analysis Wing|RAW]] and [[MI5]] to overthrow the communist government in [[West Bengal]] and he was given assurances from the central government about his safety and return to Denmark. He further alleges that MP [[Pappu Yadav]], who is in touch with the [[Prime Minister of India]] facilitated his safe exit from India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-29/kolkata/29486692_1_arms-drop-kim-davy-purulia | work=The Times Of India | title=Delhi okayed Purulia arms drop: Davy | date=29 April 2011}}</ref> | ||
==Background== | == Background == | ||
A [[Latvia]]n aircraft dropped a large consignment of [[weapon|arms]] including several hundred [[AK-47]] rifles and more than a million rounds of ammunition over a large area in Jhalda, Ghatanga, Belamu, Maramu villages of [[Purulia district]] on the night of 17 December 1995.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} Several days later, when the plane re-entered Indian [[airspace]], it was intercepted by the [[Indian Air Force]] [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] and forced to land. | A [[Latvia]]n aircraft dropped a large consignment of [[weapon|arms]] including several hundred [[AK-47]] rifles and more than a million rounds of ammunition over a large area in Jhalda, Ghatanga, Belamu, Maramu villages of [[Purulia district]] on the night of 17 December 1995.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} Several days later, when the plane re-entered Indian [[airspace]], it was intercepted by the [[Indian Air Force]] [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] and forced to land. | ||
==Motive and recipient== | == Motive and recipient == | ||
While the true motive of the operation remains shrouded in mystery and conjecture, [[BBC]], after it's investigation into it, alleged that arms were intended for the socio-spiritual organization [[Ananda Marga]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/138009.stm|title=Alleged gun runner's conspiracy claims|date=July 23, 1998|work=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=13 March 2013}}</ref> This has been disputed by the prime accused in the case Kim Davy who claims the central government itself was behind the arms drop to counter the CPI(M) cadres.<ref>{{cite news|author=Apr 28, 2011, 01.22pm IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-28/india/29482022_1_kim-davy-purulia-arms-drop-purulia-district |title=Purulia Expose: India's best kept secret |publisher=The Times of India |date=1995-12-18 |accessdate=2013-03-13}}</ref> | While the true motive of the operation remains shrouded in mystery and conjecture, [[BBC]], after it's investigation into it, alleged that arms were intended for the socio-spiritual organization [[Ananda Marga]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/138009.stm|title=Alleged gun runner's conspiracy claims|date=July 23, 1998|work=[[BBC Online]]|accessdate=13 March 2013}}</ref> This has been disputed by the prime accused in the case Kim Davy who claims the central government itself was behind the arms drop to counter the CPI(M) cadres.<ref>{{cite news|author=Apr 28, 2011, 01.22pm IST |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-28/india/29482022_1_kim-davy-purulia-arms-drop-purulia-district |title=Purulia Expose: India's best kept secret |publisher=The Times of India |date=1995-12-18 |accessdate=2013-03-13}}</ref> | ||
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However, despite the passage of years, many details of the incident are wrapped in mystery, and there has been considerable speculation as to the purpose and modality of the operation. | However, despite the passage of years, many details of the incident are wrapped in mystery, and there has been considerable speculation as to the purpose and modality of the operation. | ||
==Arrest and sentencing== | == Arrest and sentencing == | ||
The crew of the aircraft consisted of five Latvian citizens and Peter Bleach, a [[United Kingdom|British]] citizen and an ex [[Special Air Service]] operative turned [[mercenary]] who was based in Yorkshire and involved in arms dealing.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} (However, Annie Machon, the former MI5 officer, accuses Bleach of being an MI6 agent in her book "Spies, Lies and Whistleblowers". In numerous interviews, Bleach has always evaded questions on this subject and has declined to answer questions on his military background.) They were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment while alleged [[crime boss|kingpin]] [[Niels Holck|Niels Christian Nielsen]] (aka Kim Peter Davy), a [[Denmark|Danish]] citizen and member of the [[Ananda Marga]] group,<ref>[http://www.nisat.org/publications/armsfixers/Chapter2.html The Day it Rained Arms in India], Chapter 2 of [http://www.nisat.org/publications/armsfixers/ The Arms Fixers: Controlling the Brokers and Shipping Agents]</ref> escaped. Later, an [[Interpol]] [[red notice]] was issued against him. Following the intervention of [[Russia]]n authorities, the Latvian crew (who gained Russian citizenship while in Indian custody) were later [[pardon]]ed and released in 2000. An appeal has been submitted by the pilots lawyer before the Calcutta High Court in March 2000 challenging the trial results and the judgement but it is still pending. Peter Bleach, too, was released on 4 February 2004, via a [[President of India|presidential]] pardon, allegedly due to persistent British Government pressure. In 2007 Kim Davy was traced by Denmark authorities and on April 9, 2010 Danish government decided to extradite Kim Davy to India but Danish authorities failed to successfully defend their decision in the Danish high court. The court, therefore, refused extradition of Kim Davy to India. Further, Danish authorities decided not to appeal the high court judgement to the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-08/india/29751081_1_kim-davy-danish-authorities-danish-court | work=The Times Of India | title=Danish court decision on Kim Davy can encourage terrorists: India | date=8 July 2011}}</ref> | The crew of the aircraft consisted of five Latvian citizens and Peter Bleach, a [[United Kingdom|British]] citizen and an ex [[Special Air Service]] operative turned [[mercenary]] who was based in Yorkshire and involved in arms dealing.{{Citation needed|date=October 2008}} (However, Annie Machon, the former MI5 officer, accuses Bleach of being an MI6 agent in her book "Spies, Lies and Whistleblowers". In numerous interviews, Bleach has always evaded questions on this subject and has declined to answer questions on his military background.) They were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment while alleged [[crime boss|kingpin]] [[Niels Holck|Niels Christian Nielsen]] (aka Kim Peter Davy), a [[Denmark|Danish]] citizen and member of the [[Ananda Marga]] group,<ref>[http://www.nisat.org/publications/armsfixers/Chapter2.html The Day it Rained Arms in India], Chapter 2 of [http://www.nisat.org/publications/armsfixers/ The Arms Fixers: Controlling the Brokers and Shipping Agents]</ref> escaped. Later, an [[Interpol]] [[red notice]] was issued against him. Following the intervention of [[Russia]]n authorities, the Latvian crew (who gained Russian citizenship while in Indian custody) were later [[pardon]]ed and released in 2000. An appeal has been submitted by the pilots lawyer before the Calcutta High Court in March 2000 challenging the trial results and the judgement but it is still pending. Peter Bleach, too, was released on 4 February 2004, via a [[President of India|presidential]] pardon, allegedly due to persistent British Government pressure. In 2007 Kim Davy was traced by Denmark authorities and on April 9, 2010 Danish government decided to extradite Kim Davy to India but Danish authorities failed to successfully defend their decision in the Danish high court. The court, therefore, refused extradition of Kim Davy to India. Further, Danish authorities decided not to appeal the high court judgement to the Supreme Court.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-08/india/29751081_1_kim-davy-danish-authorities-danish-court | work=The Times Of India | title=Danish court decision on Kim Davy can encourage terrorists: India | date=8 July 2011}}</ref> | ||
Peter Bleach was not an SAS operative. He was a Lance Corporal in the Intelligence Corps initially serving at 7 Armoured Bde in Germany, then in N Ireland. These were desk bound activities. (From personal conversations with him over 16 years ago. | Peter Bleach was not an SAS operative. He was a Lance Corporal in the Intelligence Corps initially serving at 7 Armoured Bde in Germany, then in N Ireland. These were desk bound activities. (From personal conversations with him over 16 years ago. | ||
==Recent development== | == Recent development == | ||
On 8 October 2008 the extradition of the key accused, [[Niels Holck|Kim Davy]], real name [[Niels Holck]], was close to being finalized as the government had, in principle, agreed on giving "sovereign assurance" to the Danish authorities on their conditions, as well as bringing about some changes in the existing extradition law. One of the conditions Denmark had set included the waiving of the death penalty if Davy is convicted by a court for his involvement in the dropping of a huge cache of arms and ammunition from an aircraft in West Bengal in 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Purulia_arms_case_Govt_agrees_to_waive_death_penalty/rssarticleshow/3571584.cms|title=Purulia arms case: Govt agrees to waive death penalty|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|coauthors=Subodh Ghildiyal|date=8 October 2008|work=[[Indiatimes]]|accessdate=8 March 2011|location=New Delhi}}</ref> | On 8 October 2008 the extradition of the key accused, [[Niels Holck|Kim Davy]], real name [[Niels Holck]], was close to being finalized as the government had, in principle, agreed on giving "sovereign assurance" to the Danish authorities on their conditions, as well as bringing about some changes in the existing extradition law. One of the conditions Denmark had set included the waiving of the death penalty if Davy is convicted by a court for his involvement in the dropping of a huge cache of arms and ammunition from an aircraft in West Bengal in 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Purulia_arms_case_Govt_agrees_to_waive_death_penalty/rssarticleshow/3571584.cms|title=Purulia arms case: Govt agrees to waive death penalty|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|coauthors=Subodh Ghildiyal|date=8 October 2008|work=[[Indiatimes]]|accessdate=8 March 2011|location=New Delhi}}</ref> | ||
On 28 April 2011 Kim Davy came forward and alleged that both the Indian government (congress party) as well as its intelligence agency [[R&AW]] were aware of the precise details of the arms drop well in advance, and that the whole operation was conducted with the implicit agreement of the Indian authorities. Both Peter Bleach and Kim Davy claimed that the aim of the arms drop was to help anti Left government dissidents and to create a pretext to impose President's Rule in West Bengal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-31/india/28304324_1_kim-davy-alias-arms-drop-denmark-government|title=India knew about Purulia arms drop: Accused|date=31 May 2010|work=[[Indiatimes]]|accessdate=28 April 2011|location=New Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-28/india/29482022_1_kim-davy-purulia-arms-drop-purulia-district|title=Purulia Exposé: India's best kept secret|date=28 Apr 2011|work=[[Indiatimes]]|accessdate=28 April 2011|location=New Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Purulia-arms-drop-was-RAW-op-to-destabilise-Left-govt--say-accused/783288/}}</ref> | On 28 April 2011 Kim Davy came forward and alleged that both the Indian government (congress party) as well as its intelligence agency [[R&AW]] were aware of the precise details of the arms drop well in advance, and that the whole operation was conducted with the implicit agreement of the Indian authorities. Both Peter Bleach and Kim Davy claimed that the aim of the arms drop was to help anti Left government dissidents and to create a pretext to impose President's Rule in West Bengal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-05-31/india/28304324_1_kim-davy-alias-arms-drop-denmark-government|title=India knew about Purulia arms drop: Accused|date=31 May 2010|work=[[Indiatimes]]|accessdate=28 April 2011|location=New Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-28/india/29482022_1_kim-davy-purulia-arms-drop-purulia-district|title=Purulia Exposé: India's best kept secret|date=28 Apr 2011|work=[[Indiatimes]]|accessdate=28 April 2011|location=New Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Purulia-arms-drop-was-RAW-op-to-destabilise-Left-govt--say-accused/783288/}}</ref> | ||
On 29 April 2011 [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] denied all allegations of involvement or collusion in the arms drop.<ref>[http://www.inewsone.com/2011/04/29/no-indian-government-role-in-purulia-arms-drop-cbi/46996 ]{{dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref> Questions have been raised if Kim Davy's 'sensational revelation' was aimed to stall the extradition efforts of India.<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/335169/MI5-RAW-jointly-involved-in-Purulia-arms-drop-says-Davy.html ]{{dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/no-evidence-against-politicianspurulia-arms-drop-case_539385.html |title=No evidence against politicians in Purulia arms drop case | On 29 April 2011 [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] denied all allegations of involvement or collusion in the arms drop.<ref>[http://www.inewsone.com/2011/04/29/no-indian-government-role-in-purulia-arms-drop-cbi/46996]{{dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref> Questions have been raised if Kim Davy's 'sensational revelation' was aimed to stall the extradition efforts of India.<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/335169/MI5-RAW-jointly-involved-in-Purulia-arms-drop-says-Davy.html]{{dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/no-evidence-against-politicianspurulia-arms-drop-case_539385.html |title=No evidence against politicians in Purulia arms drop case – PTI |publisher=Moneycontrol.com |date=2011-04-29 |accessdate=2013-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/purulia-was-raw-mi5-operation-to-overthrow-basu-bleach-davy/articleshow/8113513.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=Purulia was RAW-MI5 operation to overthrow Basu: Bleach, Davy}}</ref> Some political analysts have also questioned the 'timing of the revelation' which may help the Left parties in the ongoing state government assembly elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/cong-tars-bjp-left-with-same-brush/666911.html |title=Cong tars BJP, Left with same brush, IBN Live News |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=2011-04-29 |accessdate=2013-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/videoshow/4371743.cms|title=Kim Davy interview at Timesnow}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/videoshow/4371744.cms|title=Peter Bleach, J. K. Dutt and Kim Davy interview-part II at Timesnow}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesnow.tv/videoshow/4371745.cms|title=Peter Bleach, J. K. Dutt and Kim Davy interview-part III at Timesnow}}</ref> | ||
On 30 June 2011 [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] has been denied to extradite Kim Davy a.k.a. Niels Holck to India for further proceedings in India. The Danish High Court, after hearing evidence from Peter Bleach who described his personal experiences in jail in Kolkata, dismissed the plea on the grounds of "torture or other inhuman treatment".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2147665.ece|title=Danish court says Davy cannot be extradited to India | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu|first=Vinay|last=Kumar|date=30 June 2011 | On 30 June 2011 [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] has been denied to extradite Kim Davy a.k.a. Niels Holck to India for further proceedings in India. The Danish High Court, after hearing evidence from Peter Bleach who described his personal experiences in jail in Kolkata, dismissed the plea on the grounds of "torture or other inhuman treatment".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2147665.ece|title=Danish court says Davy cannot be extradited to India | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu|first=Vinay|last=Kumar|date=30 June 2011 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
The [[Bangladesh]]i [[Member of Parliament|MP]] and retired Major-General Mohammed Shubid Ali Bhuiyan had been accused of involvement in the case.<ref>{{cite news|last=Roy|first=Anirban| url=http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/Purulia-armsdrop-man-to-grace-Vijay-Diwas-event-257228321355500635 | work=The Bengal Post | title=Purulia armsdrop man to ‘grace’ Vijay Diwas event! | date=15 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=1&id=238215&hb=1 | work=bdnews24.com | title=Armsdrop story returns to haunt AL MP | date=15 December 2012}}</ref> The CBI had submitted to the Kolkata High Court two [[End-user certificate|end-user certificates]], required for international arms deals, allegedly signed by Bhuiyan in his capacity as the [[Chief of staff|PSO]] of the Armed Forces Division of the office of the then prime minister of Bangladesh, [[Khaleda Zia|Begum Khaleda Zia]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/b-desh-involved-in-purulia-arms-dropping-case-report_591303.html | work=Zee News | title=B’ desh involved in Purulia arms dropping case: Report | date=30 December 2009}}</ref> The certificates had been recovered by the British police, who assisted the CBI in the probe, in raids on Bleach's estate. One of the certificates – issued on November 25 1995 – authorized Bleach’s front company, Border Technology and Innovations Ltd, to conclude the contract with the Bulgarian suppliers stating that the arms ''will be used by the Bangladesh Army and will not be exported to any other country''. The boxes containing the weapons, found in Purulia, had been marked for Rajendrapur Cantonment in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharan|first=Abhishek|title=Bangladesh linked to arms drop in Purulia|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/India/Bangladesh-linked-to-arms-drop-in-Purulia/Article1-491941.aspx|accessdate=15 December 2012|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=December 30, 2009}}</ref> However, the Government of Bangladesh as well as Bhuiyan has denied such allegations and maintain that the certificates were forged by Bleach's contacts in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news|title='Bangladesh had no link'|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=184330|accessdate=15 December 2012|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=May 5, 2011}}</ref> | The [[Bangladesh]]i [[Member of Parliament|MP]] and retired Major-General Mohammed Shubid Ali Bhuiyan had been accused of involvement in the case.<ref>{{cite news|last=Roy|first=Anirban| url=http://portal.thebengalpost.com/index.php/index/newsdetails/Purulia-armsdrop-man-to-grace-Vijay-Diwas-event-257228321355500635 | work=The Bengal Post | title=Purulia armsdrop man to ‘grace’ Vijay Diwas event! | date=15 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=1&id=238215&hb=1 | work=bdnews24.com | title=Armsdrop story returns to haunt AL MP | date=15 December 2012}}</ref> The CBI had submitted to the Kolkata High Court two [[End-user certificate|end-user certificates]], required for international arms deals, allegedly signed by Bhuiyan in his capacity as the [[Chief of staff|PSO]] of the Armed Forces Division of the office of the then prime minister of Bangladesh, [[Khaleda Zia|Begum Khaleda Zia]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/b-desh-involved-in-purulia-arms-dropping-case-report_591303.html | work=Zee News | title=B’ desh involved in Purulia arms dropping case: Report | date=30 December 2009}}</ref> The certificates had been recovered by the British police, who assisted the CBI in the probe, in raids on Bleach's estate. One of the certificates – issued on November 25 1995 – authorized Bleach’s front company, Border Technology and Innovations Ltd, to conclude the contract with the Bulgarian suppliers stating that the arms ''will be used by the Bangladesh Army and will not be exported to any other country''. The boxes containing the weapons, found in Purulia, had been marked for Rajendrapur Cantonment in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharan|first=Abhishek|title=Bangladesh linked to arms drop in Purulia|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/India/Bangladesh-linked-to-arms-drop-in-Purulia/Article1-491941.aspx|accessdate=15 December 2012|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=December 30, 2009}}</ref> However, the Government of Bangladesh as well as Bhuiyan has denied such allegations and maintain that the certificates were forged by Bleach's contacts in Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite news|title='Bangladesh had no link'|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=184330|accessdate=15 December 2012|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=May 5, 2011}}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||