Wanted in murder, extortion cases, Haryana gangster Venkat Garg extradited from Georgia

India doesn’t have an extradition treaty with Georgia, and the process of getting Garg back, as per sources, took over a year. He is said to have landed in Georgia from Dubai since the country doesn’t require visas for those with a valid UAE residence permit.

Once he was apprehended in Georgia, Indian authorities pursued his case with the Georgian Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor General’s office. A joint declaration on reciprocity towards mutual legal assistance was also signed between the two sides in the absence of an extradition treaty.

According to officials, Garg had earlier been arrested in connection with these cases but fled the country after being granted bail, evading trial proceedings. Subsequently, the Delhi Police had requested the MEA to revoke Garg’s passports along with those of nine other criminals.

A Red Notice was issued against him through Interpol at the request of the Haryana Police.

Garg, a native of Naraingarh in Haryana’s Ambala district, had come into the spotlight last year after he allegedly shot dead BSP leader Harbilas Rajjumajra in February, reportedly over personal enmity.

Venkat Garg (Photo Credit: Special Arrangement)

Investigators believe Garg maintained links with associates of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while on the run. Officials said further interrogation of Garg is expected to shed light on his network and the extent of his involvement in organised crime activities in the region.

This is the first extradition of a criminal wanted by Indian authorities from Georgia. As per sources, India and Georgia are now working towards signing an extradition treaty, the discussions for which have been going on since last year.