Mumbai, February 17, 2026: The Special MCOCA Court in Mumbai on Friday directed that alleged gangster Kumar Krishnan Pillai be sent back to Hong Kong. The court ruled that since he has been acquitted in the three specific cases for which he was originally extradited, no further trial can be initiated against him in India without the permission of the extraditing country.
Special MCOCA Court Judge Satyanarayan R. Navandar noted in the order dated February 13 that the Supreme Court has clarified that in the absence of consent from the extraditing nation, the applicant cannot be prosecuted in India for any other pending cases. As a result, the prosecution has no option but to facilitate Pillai’s return to his home country. The court also pointed out that there is no record indicating that the authorities sought Hong Kong’s permission to initiate proceedings in other pending cases against him.
Background of the Case
Kumar Pillai, originally an Indian citizen who later acquired Hong Kong citizenship, was arrested in Singapore in 2016 following a 2012 Red Corner Notice. He was booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). India requested his extradition from Singapore in six pending cases, but permission was granted only for three cases.
Pillai’s lawyer, Pankaj Kawle, argued that the purpose of extradition has now lapsed. He also stated that since Pillai is no longer an Indian citizen, his continued stay in India cannot be considered lawful and invoked Section 21 of the Extradition Act to justify his return to Hong Kong.
The prosecution opposed the plea, citing pending cases. However, the court emphasized that extradition was granted only for the three cases, in which Pillai has now been acquitted. Accordingly, the Mumbai Police Commissioner has been instructed to take necessary steps for Pillai’s repatriation to Hong Kong.
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