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BALI, Indonesia (AP) — The deportation of an alleged Indian crime boss being held on Indonesia's Bali Island was delayed Tuesday by the closure of the airport because of volcanic ash, police said.
Rajendra Sadashiv Nikalje, known in India as "Chotta Rajan," has been on Interpol's most wanted list for two decades. He was arrested Oct. 25 when he arrived at Bali's airport from Sydney.
He was to have been deported Tuesday night from Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Police Maj. Pande Sugiarta said the deportation was delayed until Wednesday because of volcanic ash spewing from Mount Rinjan on nearby Lombok Island.
Nikalje, who was carrying a passport with the alias Mohan Kumar, was arrested based on a notice from Interpol and following a tip from Australian authorities in Canberra, police said.
Nikalje, 56, told Indonesian police that he had been hiding in Australia for seven years and flew to Bali for a vacation.
Indian Interpol officials accompanied by diplomats from the Indian Consulate in Denpasar investigated Nikalje and arranged his deportation.
Indian media have reported that Nikalje was accused of involvement in several mafia killings and other crimes in his homeland.
Bali police spokesman Col. Heri Wiyanto said Nikalje had refused to answer all questions about his alleged crimes.
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