No Escape: Delhi Police Extradite Rape Accused From UAE
A man accused of sexually assaulting a colleague in Delhi was extradited from Abu Dhabi after a coordinated international manhunt.
In a major crackdown on criminals fleeing the country, the Delhi Police have successfully brought back a 38-year-old man from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The individual, identified as Sajeer Palli Mooppan (also known as Sajeer PM), is accused of sexually assaulting a female colleague at a hotel in Delhi. Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Devesh Chandra Srivastava announced the extradition on Thursday, emphasizing that tackling crimes against women remains a top priority for the force.
The Alleged Assault and Aftermath
The harrowing incident dates back to October 2025. According to police reports, the accused, who served as a manager in a private company, allegedly targeted his colleague during an employee birthday celebration at a lounge in Punjabi Bagh. It is alleged that he administered alcohol and intoxicating substances to the victim before taking her to a hotel in Karol Bagh, where the sexual assault took place.
Following the incident, the victim sought help from her company's management. In accordance with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) was formed to investigate the matter. However, the accused reportedly evaded the proceedings, ignoring repeated summons and eventually stopping his attendance at work altogether.
The Flight and the Manhunt
As the legal net began to tighten, Sajeer PM fled India for the UAE on January 5, 2026. The victim eventually approached the Karol Bagh Police Station in February 2026, triggering a formal criminal investigation. By July, when it became clear the accused was hiding abroad, he was declared a proclaimed offender.
To ensure he did not escape justice, the Delhi Police initiated a high-level international pursuit. A Red Corner Notice (RCN) was issued, marking the beginning of a coordinated effort to track him down in Abu Dhabi.
A 'Whole-of-Government' Operation
Bringing the accused back to Indian soil required a massive collaborative effort involving multiple high-level agencies. Special CP Devesh Chandra Srivastava highlighted the roles of the following entities:
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Specifically the INTERPOL wing, which managed communication with foreign authorities.
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- Bureau of Immigration
The operation leveraged Bharatpol, an INTERPOL-linked platform that allows Indian law enforcement to exchange information and coordinate with the CBI for international police cooperation. This streamlined the documentation process and addressed queries from UAE authorities, making the extradition possible.
The Final Takedown
A specialized three-member team from the Delhi Police—comprising Inspector Kapil, Sub-Inspector Sandeep, and investigating officer Sub-Inspector Kajal—traveled to Abu Dhabi. The team took custody of the accused and escorted him back to Delhi on Wednesday evening.
Special CP Srivastava praised the hard work of DCP (Central District) Rohit Rajbir Singh and ACP (Karol Bagh) Shivam, stating that the operation reflects a "whole-of-government" approach to ensuring that criminals cannot find sanctuary abroad. The accused now faces intense interrogation and further investigation before he is presented for trial.
"We remain committed to pursuing any criminal, regardless of where they may be hiding," asserted Srivastava during the press conference.