Lalit Modi row: Interpol’s tight and not-so-tight corners

Former IPL chief Lalit Modi, now at the centre of a row also involving EAM Sushma Swaraj, faces an ‘Interpol Blue Corner Notice’. Vijaita Singh explains what this means.

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Former IPL chief Lalit Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

What are the kinds of Interpol notices?

There are eight types, invoking mutual cooperation between member countries to curb the movement of alleged criminals/accused through international ports or airports. The notices — in order of decreasing gravity of criminal involvement of the individual — are Red, Blue, Green, Black, Stolen Property Notices, Modus Operandi (MO) Sheets, Orange Notices and UN Security Council Interpol Special Notices. The names are based on a colour tab at the notices’ right corner.

According to the Interpol website, Notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information, and are published by the Interpol General Secretariat at the request of National Central Bureaus (NCBs) and authorized entities. Interpol, headquartered in Lyon, is run by contributions from its 188 member countries.

How serious is the Blue Corner Notice against Lalit Modi?

It is an “Enquiry Notice” that is generally issued to have an individual’s identity verified, or to locate a missing individual who could be an identified or unidentified international criminal, or may be wanted for violation of ordinary criminal law, and whose extradition may be requested.

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A Red Corner or “A Series” notice, on the other hand, is issued for offenders who can be arrested and extradited to the country where they are wanted. Red Corner Notices are currently out against 536 persons wanted by India.

Why does Modi face a Notice?

It was issued on the basis of a request by the Enforcement Directorate, which is probing a case against the former IPL chief. Modi’s passport was cancelled in March 2011, but was restored by the Delhi High Court in August 2014. In July, when Modi did not have a passport, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asked the British authorities to consider allowing him to travel to Portugal, if permitted under their laws.

What does a Notice comprise?

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Particulars like name, age, address, name of spouse, nationality, occupation, details of passport, aliases,etc. Descriptive particulars, such as height, colour of eyes and hair, beard, forehead, nose, chin, ears, shape of face, and distinguishing identification marks. Languages spoken, previous convictions, details of the warrant, and list of countries from which extradition is requested.

Who handles Interpol notices in India?

The CBI is the nodal authority that executes and handles the issuance of all Interpol Notices in India. There are liaison officers in every state police force.

What do Notices other than Red and Blue signify?

The “C Series” notice, which is Green, is a “Warning Notice” — to alert law enforcement agencies about people who have committed or are likely to commit offences affecting other countries, and who might be on their territory. Black (“D”) Notices circulate information about unidentified bodies or dead persons who might have been using false identities. Modus Operandi (MO) Sheets are to notify law enforcement agencies of modus operandi, procedures and hiding places. The UN Security Council Interpol Special Notice is issued for people targeted by UN sanctions against al-Qaeda and Taliban.