Tight Security As Indian Fugitive Appears In Court

Counter-terrorism and elite police units were out in force as an Interpol-wanted suspect was taken to the Kowloon City Magistracy for a court appearance on Friday morning.

Motorcycle riders accompanied the van carrying Ramanjit Singh while some of the roads around the court were in lock down, with armed officers taking up positions around the court.

Tight security checks were also carried out on everyone entering the court.

Singh, a Hong Kong resident who was born in India but grew up in the SAR, has been accused of taking part in two robberies here.

No plea was taken and he was denied bail. Singh is due to appear in court again next week.

Media reports in India said the 29-year-old, from Punjab state, was arrested there in 2016 on charges of car theft and possessing fake credit cards. He was granted bail after serving two months in jail.

But he later fled to Hong Kong, where he's alleged to have masterminded and funded a major jailbreak in Punjab, where men disguised as policemen attacked a prison and freed several inmates.

The media earlier reported that Indian authorities have made an extradition request for Singh.

Interpol had issued a worldwide manhunt for Singh over various crimes including alleged terrorism links.