A day after Dr Amit Kumar, suspected kingpin in the kidney racket, was arrested in Nepal, New Delhi on Friday took up the issue of his deportation with Kathmandu.

“The matter has been taken up by the CBI with Nepal’s government through our embassy in Kathmandu,” said MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna. “Given the nature of the case and the close cooperation that exists between legal and security authorities of India and Nepal, we expect that Dr Amit will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the earliest possible,” he added.

India doesn’t have a valid extradition with Nepal at present. According to sources, the old extradition agreement between the two countries has lapsed. While the negotiations on the new treaty have concluded, it hasn’t been signed yet.

But Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal said getting Kumar's custody would not be a problem. “I hope he will be extradited soon. We have very cordial relations with Nepal and there will be no need of any extradition treaty,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kumar, who was presented before the media in Kathmandu today, claimed that he was innocent. “I have not committed any crime. The allegations against me have been cleared in court,” he said. “I am just a doctor, not a kidney dealer. I will reveal all the truth by organising a press conference after my release,” he added.

The Nepalese police said Kumar claimed that he came to Nepal from Canada on December 13 and the next day he left for India by road. He returned to Kathmandu on January 26 by road and stayed at Hotel Radisson in Lazimpat till January 29. He then stayed at hotels in Thamel till February 5, when he left for Chitwan by taxi.

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