Why in news?

• The Interpol has withdrawn the Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against the key accused, Mehul Choksi, in the Rs 13,500-crore PNB loan fraud case.
  • Choksi had fled India in January 2018, days before the CBI registered a case against him and his nephew Nirav Modi in the PNB case.
  • He had by then acquired citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda.
• However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated measures to get the notice restored.
  • It had taken up with the Commission for Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) the serious shortcomings and the mistakes committed in reaching the decision to remove the Red Notice against fugitive Mehul Choksi.

What’s in today’s article?

• Interpol
• Commission for Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF)
• News Summary

Interpol

• Full Name - International Criminal Police Organisation.
  • Interpol is the radio-telegraph code for the organisation.
• Interpol is an international police organisation made up of 194 member countries.
• It does not work under UN.
  • It has enjoyed a special role – that of Permanent Observer at the United Nations - since 1996.
• It was founded in 1923 and is headquartered at Lyon, France.

Functions of Interpol

• 
• It is not a police force in the traditional sense—its agents are not able to arrest criminals.
• It is more of an information-sharing network, providing a way for national police forces to co-operate effectively and
  • tackle international crime ranging from human trafficking and terrorism to money laundering and illegal art dealing.
• Sharing of information is done by issuing colour-coded notices in four languages - English, Spanish, French, and Arabic.
• The organization operates centralised criminal databases that contain fingerprint records, DNA samples and stolen documents.

Types of Interpol Notices

• Interpol issues different types of notices which have different objectives.
  • Types of notices issued – Red, Blue, Yellow, Black, Orange, Purple, Green etc.
• Red Notice - A notification that a member state would like someone arrested.
• 
• States are not obliged to follow these notices, but will often treat them as a warrant for someone’s arrest and extradition.

Commission for Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF)

• The CCF is an independent body that ensures that all personal data processed through Interpol’s channels conforms to the rules of the Organization.
• It is a separate body within the Interpol that is not under the control of the Interpol Secretariat.
• It is mainly staffed by elected lawyers from different countries

News Summary: CBI seeks restoration of Red Notice against Mehul Choksi

• CBI has initiated measures to get the Red Notice restored against fugitive Mehul Choksi.
• Following a petition by Choksi to Interpol, the notice was withdrawn by the Interpol recently.
• The cancellation of this notice will weaken India’s efforts to get Choksi back. It could be used by his defence during extradition proceedings pending in Antigua.
  • Now, he can move freely across the world, barring India.
  • India can petition the Interpol again or get a fresh notice issued in a separate case.