UK prosecutors inspect Tihar Jail as India attempts to bring back high-profile fugitives

A team from the United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recently visited Tihar Jail in Delhi to assess the prison's facilities and living conditions to repatriate a host of India's high-profile economic offenders. 

Sources shared that the delegation toured the high-security wards of Asia’s largest prison and interacted with inmates to assure UK courts that fugitives extradited to India would be housed in a safe and secure environment.

Currently, India has 178 extradition requests pending with foreign governments, nearly 20 of which are with the UK. The list of offenders include businessman and ex-Rajya Sabha member Vijay Mallya, accused of defaulting on loans worth over Rs 9,000 crore; jeweller Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud; arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari; and several Khalistani separatist leaders. 

Officials briefed the British team about the infrastructure, healthcare provisions and security protocols available at Tihar Jail. They also gave an undertaking that India would ensure no ill-treatment or unlawful interrogation of any prisoner extradited from the UK.

Additionally, authorities proposed that, if required, a special enclave within the jail could be designated to house high-profile inmates to guarantee further safety and access to proper amenities. 

India has faced multiple setbacks in extradition proceedings in British courts. Defense lawyers often cite poor prison conditions in India to avoid deportations. By opening prisons to external inspection, New Delhi hopes to counter such objections and strengthen its legal arguments abroad. 

The government views the CPS inspection as a significant step in demonstrating India's commitment to international legal standards and ensuring accountability in the treatment of prisoners. Officials expressed optimism that this exercise will pave the way for faster extraditions of fugitives hiding in the UK.
(With inputs from IANS)