In a significant development for law enforcement agencies, Ramanjit Singh, alias Romy, the alleged mastermind behind the high-profile 2016 Nabha jailbreak in Punjab, has been extradited from Hong Kong to India. Romy, a 29-year-old resident of Bangi Ruldu village in Bathinda, was flown back to India on August 22, 2024, following a lengthy extradition process.
Romy, who had been living in Kowloon, Hong Kong, was apprehended in February 2018. His extradition marks a pivotal moment in the investigation into the Nabha jailbreak, where six notorious criminals, including two terrorists, escaped from the Nabha Central Jail in Punjab. Authorities have long believed Romy to be a central figure in orchestrating the breakout, which was a brazen attack on India’s security apparatus.
Mastermind of 2016 Nabha Jailbreak, Ramanjit Singh @ Romy, Extradited to #India from #HongKong!
— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) August 22, 2024
After tireless efforts by @PunjabPoliceInd, Romy, the key conspirator, is being brought back today to face justice. He was in touch with #ISI and other escaped prisoners, including… pic.twitter.com/h6kNx57kHG
According to a statement from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the extradition was facilitated through meticulous coordination involving the Global Operations Centre of the CBI, Punjab Police, and INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau in Hong Kong. The process began with the issuance of a Red Notice by INTERPOL on March 22, 2017, at the request of Punjab Police. Romy’s location was pinpointed in Hong Kong in 2018, and a provisional arrest request was issued through INTERPOL.
Senior officials revealed that Romy served as a crucial communication link between Punjab-based gangsters and ISI-supported terrorists in Pakistan. He allegedly used encrypted messaging apps and VoIP platforms to facilitate these connections.
Romy’s arrest in Hong Kong was not his only legal entanglement. He was also involved in a high-stakes robbery in Tsim Sha Tsui in February 2018, where more than 450 million Japanese yen (HK$32 million) was stolen. The funds were later recovered. Additionally, Romy was out on bail for another robbery charge in Hung Hom from March 2017, involving HK$3.2 million.
Following his return to India, Romy will be interrogated in Patiala by various investigative agencies to uncover further details about his alleged criminal activities and connections.
