Maharashtra Police call for Interpol’s Red Corner Notice against murder accused Hussain Shattaf

The fugitive is on the run after killing a naval officer 18 years ago

Delhi Crown Bureau

New Delhi: The Maharashtra Police have requested the Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Hussain Shattaf, a fugitive accused of using forged documents to flee India after allegedly murdering Capt. Manmohan Singh Virdi, a merchant navy officer, in Lonavala in 2006.

Hussain Md. Shattaf is said to be hiding somewhere in the UAE for the past 18 years.

Shattaf and Virdi were neighbours. According to the charge-sheet filed in 2009, the motive for the murder was said to be an alleged “relationship” between the deceased and Shattaf’s wife Waheeda.

Last year, the Supreme Court had set aside the Bombay High Court’s order that had discharged Hussain Mohammed Shattaf and his wife Waheeda Hussain Shattaf, in the 2006 murder case.

Capt. Virdi’s family is learnt to have written a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting his immediate intervention in Hussain Shattaf’s extradition from the UAE to face trial in India in the said murder case.

Following the Supreme Court’s order, the Maharashtra Police had written to India’s Interpol wing, managed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to expedite the RCN against Shattaf, who was wanted in multiple cases involving forgery and use of fake documents.

In an official communication addressed to Interpol, the Pune Superintendent of Police (SP) stated with subject, “Request regarding Provisional arrest of fugitive HUSSAIN MEHBOOB KHOKHAWALA alias HUSSAIN MOHAMMED SHATTAF. We are forwarding the Interpol reference with all the necessary details for further action. It is requested to communicate with UAE authorities for the next steps.”

The Indian authorities were hopeful that this move would facilitate Shattaf’s swift arrest and extradition to India.

Hussain who has been on the run since the crime was registered, is facing several other charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including forgery, criminal breach of trust, and the misuse of government documents like passports. According to a letter, the Pune SP confirmed that three additional FIRs had been filed against Hussain Shattaf in Mumbai and Pune.

Earlier, in a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of India had set aside the Bombay High Court order acquitting Hussain and his wife Waheeda Shataf in the murder case. The Pune Police had already issued a proclamation against Hussain in connection with the Lonavala case, as confirmed by the Maval Court. A Lookout Circular (LOC) had also been issued by the Worli Police Station in forgery of passport case.