"Return of the Memons- A Pyrrhic Victory" continues...

I gave them a brief of the developments since the arrest of Yaqub and the outlines of our future plan of action. I requested them that instructions may be given to the Consul General of India in Dubai that when a man, code-named Suresh, approaches him with seven Pakistani passports, they should be stamped with Indian visas without any ado. In the normal course, to get an Indian visa on a
Pakistani passport was a time consuming and tedious process and vice versa. I also explained to the top bureaucrats that giving them Indian Emergency Passports had its own inherent problems. Once my proposal was approved, the Memons would travel to India on their Pakistani passports and would be arrested on arrival. The top bosses seemed convinced and excited about the CBI operation. The Cabinet Secretary asked Special Secretary, MEA to do the needful.

Salman Haider, who, I remember, had a severe back problem that morning, took me to his office in South Block from Rashtrapati Bhawan, despite being in acute pain. He called up Prabhu Dayal, an Indian Foreign Service officer, then posted as the Consul General of India in Dubai and gave him a carte-blanche that all requests from me should be met as they were part of an important CBI operation that had the approval of the Government of India.

On reaching office, I called Prabhu, who knew me well. I informed him that someone called Suresh would meet him soon and present a few Pakistani passports. He should get Indian visas stamped on them by the Consulate post haste. The Consul-General understood that there was no need to ask further questions over the phone and assured me necessary assistance would be provided.

Suresh met Prabhu Dayal the same day and submitted six passports. Sursh also apprised Prabhu of Rahin’s situation. The CGI offered a solution. Rahin could stay at one of his staffers’ residence until her travel issues were resolved.

To be continued...