The decision of the Immigration Department to allow a man wanted in connection with a massive bribery scandal in India to fly off to safety is astonishing. Officials are duty-bound to provide a convincing explanation for their actions.
They may have a hard task justifying this decision to the Indian Government, at the very point when New Delhi is about to ratify an extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Amir Bhai, India's most wanted man, must have worn a grin a mile wide as he relaxed on his flight to freedom. Weeks ago, he was facing a return to stand trial in his home country for his alleged part in a huge graft case. Then fate intervened, and instead he has been deported to Dubai.
Bhai arrived in June without a passport, after his had been confiscated by the Indian Government. He is one visitor bound to agree with the slogan that 'Wonders Never Cease' in Hong Kong.
If news of his fate filters around the underworld, the territory risks finding itself playing host to other fugitives from justice in the future.
This is not to suggest that Bhai is guilty of the offences with which he is charged in India. That is for the courts to decide. But his treatment by the Immigration Department will send out all the wrong signals.
