Mumbai Crime Branch brings Gangster Prasad Pujari back from China on extortion and murder charges

Mumbai Crime Branch Successfully Brings Back Gangster Prasad Pujari from China

Mumbai Crime Branch officials successfully brought back gangster Prasad Pujari from China to Mumbai, marking a significant development in the pursuit of justice.

Background

• Pujari, wanted in several murder and extortion cases, including the 2020 extortion case involving a Mumbai-based builder, was arrested in Hong Kong last year on Interpol’s notice.
• In 2020, the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police had arrested Indira Vithal Pujari, Prasad Pujari’s mother, in connection with the same extortion case. Along with Indira, two others—Sunil Angane and Sukesh Kumar—were accused of demanding a ransom of Rs 10 lakh.
• Pujari, a former associate of deported gangster Kumar Pillai, had been evading authorities since 2010. His extradition from China was a long-pending endeavor of the Mumbai Police, finally coming to fruition after China approved the extradition last year.

Significance of Pujari’s Arrest

Pujari’s arrest in China, where he reportedly married a Chinese national, was a significant breakthrough for the Mumbai Police. His involvement in various criminal activities, including the firing case on Shiv Sena worker Chandrakant Jadhav in 2019, had made him a high-profile target for law enforcement.

Efforts to Bring Criminals to Justice

In a separate incident earlier this month, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended Mohammed Gaus Niyazi, another wanted gangster, in South Africa. Niyazi, a key figure within the Popular Front of India (PFI), was accused of the 2016 murder of an RSS leader in Bangalore. His arrest highlights ongoing efforts to bring to justice individuals involved in serious criminal activities.

(With inputs from ANI)

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. This SDG focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under SDG 16 that can be identified are:
– Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
– Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime.
– Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
– Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
– Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
– Target 16.A: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.
– Target 16.B: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
– Number of countries with functioning and effective law enforcement and justice systems (Target 16.3)
– Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of accessing public services (Target 16.3)
– Number of detected and reported cases of organized crime (Target 16.4)
– Proportion of seized assets that are returned to their rightful owners (Target 16.4)
– Number of detected and reported cases of corruption (Target 16.5)
– Proportion of individuals who have paid a bribe in the last year (Target 16.5)
– Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births are registered (Target 16.9)
– Number of countries with access to information laws and mechanisms in place (Target 16.10)
– Number of journalists and media personnel killed, detained, or harassed in relation to their work (Target 16.10)
– Number of countries that have implemented measures to prevent and combat terrorism and crime (Target 16.A)
– Number of countries that have implemented measures to strengthen national institutions (Target 16.A)
– Existence of legal frameworks to promote non-discrimination (Target 16.B)

These indicators can be used to track progress and measure the effectiveness of efforts towards achieving the targets under SDG 16.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators