Context:
• India has intensified its extradition efforts in recent years, with economic offenders constituting nearly 35% of those extradited to India since 2002.
• The recent ruling by a Belgian court in the Mehul Choksi extradition case underscores India’s diplomatic and legal outreach to bring back high-profile fugitives.
Key Highlights:
- Extradition Trends and Data (2002–2025)
- Over one-third (35%) of individuals extradited to India are economic offenders, followed by terror-related fugitives (27.5%).
- Since 2002, UAE and the U.S. have together accounted for 46% of all extraditions to India.
- In the last five years (2020–2024), India made 133 extradition requests, with 39 in 2024 alone—the highest annual number during this period.
- India has extradition treaties with 48 countries and extradition arrangements with 12 others, enabling broader legal cooperation.
- Recent Developments – High-Profile Cases
- A Belgian court reviewed the extradition case of Mehul Choksi, accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.
- The court dismissed Choksi’s claims of likely ill-treatment upon return, citing India’s assurances of safety and due process.
- U.K. Crown Prosecution Service delegation inspected Tihar Jail facilities to assess detention conditions for potential extradition of Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi.
- Institutional and Diplomatic Efforts
- Extradition requests are initiated for persons under investigation, under trial, or convicted in India.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) coordinates with Interpol, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for pursuing fugitives abroad.
- India’s rising extradition requests reflect greater coordination with foreign legal systems and mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs).
- Economic Dimension
- Economic offenders often involve fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, or banking scams, undermining financial integrity and investor confidence.
- India’s proactive stance reflects its push for accountability in cross-border financial crimes and strengthening of financial governance frameworks.
elevant Mains Points:
- Significance:
- Reinforces India’s global legal cooperation and zero-tolerance approach to corruption and financial crimes.
- Strengthens public trust in institutions and rule of law.
- Challenges:
- Lengthy legal proceedings in foreign jurisdictions.
- Human rights concerns and differences in judicial standards.
- Political asylum claims by fugitives citing bias or persecution.
- Recent Policy Steps:
- Strengthening of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs).
- Enhanced coordination among MEA, ED, CBI, and Interpol.
- Development of fast-track extradition mechanisms with friendly nations.
- Way Forward:
- Institutionalize bilateral cooperation cells with major partners like the U.K., UAE, and U.S.
- Expand treaty network with tax havens and financial hubs.
- Integrate digital evidence-sharing frameworks to accelerate investigations.