New Delhi: A court in New Delhi has dropped a weapons charge against a New York City police officer and is allowing him to leave the country, his lawyer said on Saturday.
Officer Manny Encarnacion was arrested in March while visiting his wife in New Delhi after Indian airport authorities discovered three bullets he had accidentally packed in his luggage. He had been out on bail since his arrest, but was barred from leaving India until the case was resolved.
Before leaving for India, Encarnacion went to a police firing range and put the bullets in a coat pocket, according to New York City police. He packed the coat for the trip, forgetting that the ammunition was there, the police said.
Encarnacion, 49, joined the NYPD in 2004 and is assigned to a precinct in Harlem.
His lawyer, Samarjit Pattnaik, said the court heard the case on Friday. "All charges against the officer were quashed," he said.
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch said, "We are pleased that police officer Encarnacion's unfortunate ordeal has been resolved and that he'll soon be returning home."
Encarnacion's arrest took place months after a diplomatic spat between the United States and India over the arrest and strip search of an Indian consular official for alleged visa fraud in New York. But Indian authorities say Encarnacion's arrest had nothing to do with the spat.
Pattnaik said he would approach the court early next week to get Encarnacion's passport released, and that the officer should be set to leave the country by the end of next week.
Officer Manny Encarnacion was arrested in March while visiting his wife in New Delhi after Indian airport authorities discovered three bullets he had accidentally packed in his luggage. He had been out on bail since his arrest, but was barred from leaving India until the case was resolved.
Before leaving for India, Encarnacion went to a police firing range and put the bullets in a coat pocket, according to New York City police. He packed the coat for the trip, forgetting that the ammunition was there, the police said.
His lawyer, Samarjit Pattnaik, said the court heard the case on Friday. "All charges against the officer were quashed," he said.
Advertisement
Encarnacion's arrest took place months after a diplomatic spat between the United States and India over the arrest and strip search of an Indian consular official for alleged visa fraud in New York. But Indian authorities say Encarnacion's arrest had nothing to do with the spat.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
New York City Council Member Allegedly Bites Cop During Protest, Arrested For Assault 10 Additional Delhi, Bombay High Court Judges Made Permanent Fire At Veg Gulati On Delhi's Pandara Road, Restaurant Responds On Social Media Over 300 Indian Students Return Home As 105 Bangladeshis Die In Protests Bangladesh Imposes Curfew, Deploys Military As 105 Die In Protests "Jindal Group Executive Showed Porn, Groped Me On Flight": Woman To NDTV Global IT Chaos Persists, Flight Delays Expected Even Today: 10 Point Massive Global IT Crash Hits Airlines, Banks, Media: Live Updates "Stakes Are High, Choice Is Clear": Biden Vows To Stay In Presidential Race Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.