Rape Accused Extradited from UAE: Delhi Police Nab Senior Manager
A senior manager accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Delhi was extradited from Abu Dhabi after a massive international manhunt.
In a major breakthrough involving international cooperation, the Delhi Police's Central District Unit has successfully extradited a 38-year-old man from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The accused, identified as Sajeer Palli Mooppan (alias Sajeer PM), is facing charges of sexual assault against a 20-year-old woman in Delhi. Sajeer, a native of Kannur, Kerala, was previously employed as a senior manager at Joyalukkas.
The Night of the Incident
The harrowing ordeal began on the night of October 1, 2025, during a company employee birthday celebration held at a lounge in Punjabi Bagh, Delhi. According to the police, Sajeer allegedly coerced the victim into consuming alcohol and other intoxicating substances. While she was in a vulnerable state, he took her to a hotel in Karol Bagh.
In the early hours of October 2, 2025, Sajeer allegedly sexually assaulted the woman against her will. To ensure the crime remained hidden and to conceal the victim's identity, the accused reportedly used the identity credentials of a third person while checking into the hotel.
Internal Inquiry and the Escape
Following the assault, the victim initially reported the incident to her company's management. The company took swift action, issuing a show-cause notice to Sajeer on October 4, 2025, and initiating an inquiry through its Internal Committee under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) framework.
However, Sajeer refused to participate in the internal proceedings. Sensing that legal action was imminent, he stopped attending work on October 4 and began planning his exit from India. While the victim sent another formal complaint via email to the company on December 18, 2025, the accused was already preparing his travel documents.
On January 5, 2026, Sajeer fled India and relocated to the UAE, where he began working at a plumbing accessories shop in Dubai.
The Manhunt and Legal Battle
The victim formally approached the Delhi Police on February 18, 2026, leading to the registration of FIR No. 237/26 at the Karol Bagh Police Station. The case was registered under Sections 64(1), 123, 319, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigating officers meticulously built the case by:
- Conducting a medical examination of the victim.
- Collecting CCTV footage and hotel records from the Karol Bagh establishment.
- Gathering documentary evidence from the Punjabi Bagh lounge.
- Tracing the accused's movements through a trip to his hometown in Kerala.
International Coordination
Once it was confirmed that Sajeer had left the country, the Delhi Police initiated an INTERPOL reference communication on April 30, 2026, via BHARATPOL. A specialized team was formed to coordinate with several high-level agencies, including:
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)
After the completion of the Proclamation of Offender (PO) proceedings, a Red Corner Notice (RCN) was issued. This international alert eventually led to Sajeer's location being pinpointed in the UAE. Following the extradition process, he was brought back to India on November 4, 2026, to stand trial for his alleged crimes.