UK team inspects Tihar: India offers 'special enclave' plan for fugitives; focus on Nirav Modi, Mallya

NEW DELHI: A delegation from Britain’s crown prosecution service (CPS) recently inspected Tihar Jail in New Delhi, as part of India’s efforts to convince UK courts to clear the extradition of fugitives wanted on financial and criminal charges, reported news agency ANI.

According to people familiar with the matter, the CPS team visited the high-security ward of Tihar and interacted with inmates. Indian authorities assured the delegation that international fugitives brought back to India would be housed in safe conditions and, if required, a special “enclave” could be built inside the jail to accommodate high-profile prisoners.

The inspection comes against the backdrop of repeated objections raised by British courts in the past, which have rejected India’s extradition requests citing concerns about prison conditions. To address these hurdles, India has guaranteed that no accused will be subjected to illegal interrogation while in custody.

Currently, 178 extradition requests by India are pending abroad, of which nearly 20 are with the United Kingdom. These include cases of arms dealers and individuals linked to Khalistani groups.

Among the most high-profile cases are those of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya , accused of defaulting on over Rs 9,000 crore in bank loans, and diamond merchant Nirav Modi , the prime accused in the Rs 13,800 crore Punjab National Bank fraud. Modi, arrested in London in March 2019, has already had his extradition approved by the UK High Court but continues to remain in custody.

In July this year, foreign secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that the Indian government was “making the case” with British authorities to fast-track the return of fugitives. India maintains that extradited individuals will be kept under humane conditions in Tihar and other facilities, in line with international standards.