A team from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of India’s Jharkhand state, led by Superintendent of Police Rishav Jha, is set to travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, to oversee the extradition of Sunil Meena, also known by his alias Mayank Singh. Meena, a key figure in the Aman Sahu crime syndicate, was apprehended in Datu, Azerbaijan, on October 29, 2024, following an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued at India’s request.
Meena is considered a significant operative within the syndicate, which has been implicated in numerous criminal activities, including extortion, murder, and other serious offenses across Jharkhand. Operating under the alias Mayank Singh, he primarily used internet calls to extort money for the gang. Intelligence reports have also indicated his past associations with notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
The extradition process was initiated after a lookout notice was issued against Meena in June 2024. Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) requested Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice in September 2024, leading to his arrest in Azerbaijan.
The extradition has been approved by an Azerbaijani court under the bilateral treaty between India and Azerbaijan. Jharkhand’s Chief Minister Hemant Soren has sanctioned the ATS team’s visit to Azerbaijan, with final clearance from the Union government pending.
Upon his return, Meena will be presented in court, and the ATS plans to interrogate him regarding multiple cases of extortion and criminal threats. His extradition is viewed as a significant breakthrough in Jharkhand’s efforts to dismantle organized crime networks operating within and beyond the state.
