Indian fugitive Ramanjit ‘Romi’ Singh played key role in jail break, Hong Kong extradition hearing told
- Singh funded the breakout and on-the-run expenses of terrorists, Indian government says
- Eastern Court hears how assailants posed as police officers to gain entry to the prison in 2016
A Hong Kong resident challenging his extradition to India was on Tuesday accused of playing an essential role in a jail break that took place in his native country three years ago.
Wayne Walsh SC, for the Indian government, said Ramanjit Singh, also known as Romi, funded the attackers who released terrorists from a maximum-security jail in Nabha, and then paid for their hideouts and living expenses.
Eastern Court heard the jail break on November 27, 2016, was one of two criminal cases against Singh which prompted the Indian government to demand his surrender, since he had fled to Hong Kong after jumping bail on charges relating to theft, forgery and arms possession.
“Romi was sending money, large amounts, prior to the jail break,” Walsh told the court. “The provision of funds was essential to the jail break. Even if Romi was not present at the scene, he was essential to the jail break.”
The counsel previously told Magistrate Pang Leung-ting that preparations for the jail break began as early as July 2016 when Singh participated in meetings with the other inmates while he was held in custody in the Nabha prison following his June arrest.