A team from the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recently visited Tihar Jail in Delhi. This visit was part of India’s efforts to bring back fugitives like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi.
Prison officials said the CPS team checked Jail No. 4, where first-time offenders and high-security prisoners are kept. The team talked to inmates and examined the jail’s facilities and security, according to ANI.
Why UK Team Is Here In India?
The UK team’s visit comes in the context of earlier concerns raised by British courts over the condition of Indian prisons. Such concerns surfaced during hearings on extradition requests, where the state of detention facilities often became a key point of scrutiny. India has responded and assured the UK authorities that all extradited individuals will be held in safe and lawful conditions. India has committed that no accused will be subjected to illegal interrogation in custody.
Who All Were There In The UK Team?
According to various reports, the team comprised four officials. Two officers from the British High Commission also joined the UK team, which visited Tihar’s Jail No. 4. They inspected high-security wards and interacted with inmates. The visit was pre-scheduled; the officials arrived on July 16 and spent hours in the premises.
Why Inspection Of Jail No.4?
According to an Indian Express report, Jail number 4 is where the first-time prisoners are lodged. Jail No. 4 is called a “Mulaija Jail.” This means it is for first-time offenders. The goal is to keep them separate from habitual criminals to help them reform. However, there are also reports that a separate high-security section may be created inside the jail. This section would be for high-profile or sensitive prisoners.
India Submitted 178 Requests For Fugitive Extradition
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as of 2024, India has submitted a total of 178 requests to various countries for the extradition of fugitives.It includes people involved in terrorist acts in the country. Only acts that happened since January 1, 2019, are included. Of these 178, 20 people are in the UK. These include some Khalistani operatives as well.
Nirav Modi And Vijay Mallya
Vijay Mallya, currently in London, is accused of defaulting on bank loans worth over Rs 9,000 crore. Nirav Modi is the main accused in the Rs 13,800 crore Punjab National Bank fraud. Nirav Modi has been officially called a fugitive economic offender. A UK court has approved his extradition.
