NEW DELHI: As many as 178 requests were made over the past five years to different countries for extradition of fugitives wanted by the Indian law enforcement agencies, though only 23 persons were successfully extradited in the period starting from 01.01.2019.
Sharing this information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, junior home minister Nityanand Rai said 65 requests made by India for extradition of fugitive criminals based in the US, “are under consideration of the US authorities”.
The information mentioned above, Rai said, is based on records received from the ministry of external affairs.
Stating that the fugitives sought to be extradited include persons wanted for terrorist activities committed in India, Rai assured that “the government of India has been making diplomatic efforts for the extradition of fugitive criminals”.
Till date, India has signed extradition treaties with 48 countries/territories and entered into extradition arrangements with 12 countries. Rai underlined that it is the govt’s policy to conclude extradition treaties with as many countries as possible, so as to ensure that fugitive criminals do not escape justice.
Among the countries with which India has signed extradition treaties are the US, UK, Australia, Afghanistan, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Thailand, etc. It also has an extradition arrangement with a dozen countries, which include Antigua & Barbuda, Italy, Peru, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Sweden and Tanzania, among others.
Extradition is the formal process of one state surrendering an individual to another state for prosecution or punishment for crimes committed in the requesting country’s jurisdiction.
Among the top fugitives whose extradition requests are pending with countries like the UK, US and Canada are businessman and former MP Vijay Mallya, former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, 26/11 attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana, and pro-Khalistan terrorists Lakhbir Singh Landa and Arshdeep Singh Gill.