CBI awaits Thai response on reported detention of Padmanathan

NEW DELHI: CBI is awaiting formal response from Thailand about the reported detention of Kumaran Padmanathan, the LTTE leader who allegedly financed the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"We have approached the Thai authorities and also Interpol Bangkok to confirm the detention. We have not got any response," CBI Director Vijay Shanker said on Wednesday on the sidelines of an Interpol Conference on cyber crime.

The CBI Director, who was flanked by Secretary General of Interpol Ronald K Noble, expressed confidence that the Thai government would extend all possible assistance to India if he has been arrested.

Sources in the CBI said on Tuesday that the 52-year-old Padmanathan, also known as Shanmugam Kumaran Tharmalingham, had been detained in Bangkok for his alleged involvement in international arms racket.

CBI has been on Padmanathan alias KP's trail in places like South Africa, Yangon, Singapore and Bangkok.

Asked how much time would it take for such a confirmation, Noble said it does not take time in communicating but before such an message, the concerned government has to seek approval of the judiciary of that country.