Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Efforts to bring back fugitive economic offenders Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and others to India have gained momentum, with the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) team visiting Tihar Jail to assess conditions for extradited prisoners. Nirav Modi’s case in the UK court is now in its final stage.
CPS Team’s Visit to Tihar Jail
According to sources, a five-member CPS team visited Tihar Jail in July to evaluate the prison’s high-security ward and living conditions. The purpose was to assure UK courts that extradited individuals would be held in a safe and rights-compliant environment. In previous cases, UK courts had rejected India’s extradition requests citing concerns over Tihar’s facilities. Jail authorities assured the team that if needed, a special enclave would be created within the premises for high-profile prisoners like Mallya and Nirav Modi.
India’s Assurances on Human Rights
Indian agencies have promised UK courts that no physical harm or unlawful interrogation will be carried out against extradited prisoners. The emphasis is on demonstrating that India will adhere to international human rights standards, a crucial factor for securing extradition approvals.
Pending Extradition Cases
India currently has nearly 178 extradition requests pending worldwide, including 20 in the UK. These involve cases related to Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Sanjay Bhandari, and certain Khalistani leaders. The government is proceeding cautiously to prevent further setbacks in court.
Cases Against Mallya and Nirav Modi
Vijay Mallya, former owner of Kingfisher Airlines, is accused of fraud and money laundering after defaulting on loans worth ₹9,000 crore from Indian banks. While a UK court approved his extradition in 2020, he has remained in Britain due to confidential legal proceedings. Nirav Modi, wanted in connection with the ₹14,000 crore Punjab National Bank scam, was arrested in London in 2019. In 2021, a UK court cleared his extradition, but procedural delays have stalled his return.
