Authorities have been forced to defend their handling of one of Indian's most wanted men who was arrested after flying to Indonesia.
It has been revealed fugitive Rajendra Nikalje - widely known as Chotta Rajan - had been hiding in Australia.
News a notorious gangster had been nabbed as he arrived in Indonesia dominated the headlines back in India.
Chotta Rajan - whose real name is Rajendra Nikalje - had flown in to Bali from Sydney on a fake passport.
Political leaders in the capital New Delhi welcomed the arrest of a man who had been on Interpol's most wanted list for 20 years over murders, extortion and arms smuggling.
Indian Interior Minister, Rajnath SIngh, said the government had been constantly trying to get the 55 year old arrested in other countries.
"We had also submitted a request to Interpol in this regard," he said.
"Once proper identification and verification are completed the government will initiate necessary steps in this matter to get him back."
Related reading
Indian gangster nabbed on Bali flight
The arrest has been hailed as a crucial step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid to bring the country's international fugitives to justice.
Majid Memon, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and a criminal lawyer, said the government was intent on cracking down on criminal syndicates.
"I think it will be a big accomplishment to get the custody of a fugitive. Prior to this, a few years ago, we were successful in extraditing Abu Salem from Portugal," he said.
"I think it is a good thing as justice can be done now and the pending cases can be resolved."
There is speculation he had been in hiding in Australia for much of the past decade.
The Australian Federal Police said they only confirmed last month the fugitive was living in Australia under another identity and subsequently alerted Indian authorities and Interpol.
When he left here for Bali last Sunday, Interpol Canberra tipped-off its colleagues in Jakarta and New Delhi.
An AFP spokeswoman said Indonesian authorities apprehended him at the request of Indian authorities and directed further inquiries on the arrest to Indonesia and India.
Rajan had been on the run since surviving an attempt on his life by a rival underworld gang in Bangkok.
He is wanted in India for up to 20 murders, as well as weapons and organised crime offences.
Bali provincial police spokesman Herry Wiyanto told reporters he entered Indonesia on a Sydney-issued Indian passport.
It had the number contained in the Interpol "red notice", but with the name Mohan Kumar.
"Because his passport number is in the red notice and from his face, we believe he's Rajendra," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"We suspect he forged his name in order for him to hide and this is what we are investigating."
Denpasar district detective chief Reinhard Habonaran Nainggolan says Australian authorities were aware Nikalje was living there for seven years.
"He's still not admitting that he's Rajendra, he's still saying he's Mohan Kumar," he said.
"Before he entered Australia, he was in Zimbabwe for several years."
Police were working with Indian authorities on plans to deport him.
With AAP
