Harry Boxer's Extradition to India Could Take Months Amid Legal Hurdles: CBI Sources

Boxer has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California for alleged immigration violations, rather than in connection with criminal cases registered against him in India, the sources said.

Before he can be extradited, he is expected to face proceedings before a US immigration court. India will subsequently have to formally submit an extradition request under the bilateral extradition treaty between the two countries.

India to Prepare Consolidated Extradition Dossier

The extradition dossier is expected to include forensic evidence, details of FIRs, charge sheets and voice recordings linked to cases registered against Boxer in Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi and Mumbai.

CBI sources said the extradition process in the US could be lengthy, as the accused would have opportunities to challenge the proceedings before courts. Applications for political asylum could further complicate and delay the process.

Another challenge is that most of the cases against Boxer are being investigated by state police agencies. Documents and evidence from different states will therefore have to be consolidated into a single dossier before being forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs through the CBI.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Special Cell and Mumbai Crime Branch have begun submitting documents relating to the cases against him to central agencies.

Officials said his extradition would not be possible without the necessary approval from the US court.

Indian Agencies Had Been Tracking His Movements

Boxer was detained in the United States following inputs and efforts by Indian law enforcement agencies, which had reportedly been monitoring his movements.

His activities had come under increased scrutiny, particularly after the firing incident outside the Mumbai residence of Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty.

A native of Narayanpur village in Rajasthan, Boxer reportedly acquired his nickname through his earlier association with sports. He had worked as a boxing coach in Jaipur before allegedly moving away from his sporting and farming background and entering the criminal underworld.

He has been absconding since 2022 and is believed to have left India for the United States, where Indian agencies continued tracking his activities.

The extradition process is now dependent on the completion of the required legal and diplomatic formalities in the US and India.