Short Note: Kim Davy, Purulia Arms Drop Case and Current Status

Who is Kim Davy? What is the current status on his extradition? What is progress so far on Purulia arms drop case?

Kim Davy or Niels Holck is the prime accused in the 1995 Purulia arms drop case. On 17 December 1995, the unauthorized arms were dropped in Purulia in West Bengal from an aircraft. The arms included a large consignment of AK47 rifles, anti-tank grenades, pistols, rocket launchers and thousands of rounds of ammunition scattered in four villages. This case was taken as one of the biggest security breach in the history of India.

The aircraft reappeared in a few days in Indian airspace. It was forced to land and its crew comprising five Latvian citizens and a British mercenary were arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the chief accused Niels Hock or Kim Davy escaped arrest and shipped himself out of India. This case is still wrapped in mystery on who was targeted recipient of these weapons and what the motive was. There are many political conspiracy theories regarding the same. A spiritual organization called Ananda Marga was also suspected to be the intended recipient of these weapons.

After the sentences, all the crew members were gradually released due to pressure from Russia and Britain. The Latvian crew was released in 2000 while the British convict was released in 2004. Kim Davy was arrested in 2010 by Danish police. The Danish government decided to extradite Kim Davy to India but then the Danish high court disallowed it.

After more than six years, the Indian authorities have sent a fresh extradition appeal. The authorities in India now say that they are getting more positive response from Danish government and hope that Kim will be extradited to India soon.