India has urged the United Kingdom to expedite the extradition process of Indian fugitives and economic offenders; here's a look at some interesting facts
WantedExtradition is governed by the Indian Extradition Act, 1962. India has extradition treaties with 42 countries and extradition arrangements with 9 countries. The United Kingdom is among them.
Deal with UKThe India-UK extradition treaty was signed in 1992. The UK has had a long history of providing refuge to those fleeing political and religious persecution. In the past few years, it has also sheltered facing financial allegations in home countries.In 2008, India extradited Maninder Pal Singh Kohli to Britain in the Hannah Foster murder case. UK has not extradited any offender yet.
Plea for extradition
Key offenders abroadKey fugitives wanted in India but are based in the UK include:Lalit Modi (Accused of money laundering, financial irregularities and corruption); Tiger Hanif (Accused of terrorist activities and 1993 blasts in Gujarat)Nadeem Saifi (Accused of involvement in murder of cassette mogul Gulshan Kumar)Ravi Sankaran (Accused in the war room leak case in 2006)Vijay Mallya (Accused of money laundering, financial fraud and wilfully defaulting on loans of Rs 9,000 crore from 17 banks)Christian Michel (A British businessman accused in AgustaWestland case)Rajesh Kapoor and Seema Kapoor (A couple accused of abducting a child)
Failed attemptsIndia's plea to bring back UK-based alleged bookie Sanjeev Kumar Chawla was turned down by judges at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on October 16, 2017.Also, its plea against a British Indian couple, Jatinder and Asha Rani Angurala, in a fraud case was turned down on October 12, 2017.
Once successfulOf the several extradition requests by India, only one has succeeded so far though there are indications that pending cases may be expedited. Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel, wanted accused in the 2002 Gujarat riots, was extradited by the UK in 2012.
Why UK is a safe havenTaking refuge in UK is easy. Many rich and famous buy residency in UK by investing in the country.Tier 1 Investor VisaInvestment of 2,000,000 in UK, valid for three years and four monthsCan be extended for another two years by investing 2,000,000 in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK firmsAllows you to work and study