New Delhi: In a significant step towards securing the return of high-profile fugitives from the United Kingdom, a team from Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) visited Delhi’s Tihar Jail earlier this year to evaluate prison conditions, sources revealed. The visit took place in July.
The four-member team, comprising two CPS experts and two officials from the British High Commission, inspected the high-security ward, reviewed facilities available to inmates, and interacted with some prisoners.
According to sources, the team was generally satisfied with what they saw, describing the prison system as “good” and “close to international standards.” Indian authorities assured them that special arrangements could be made for extradited individuals, including separate accommodation if required, and guaranteed their safety while in custody.
This assessment gains importance as India continues to seek the extradition of several fugitives, including Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. In a setback for India, a UK court had recently allowed Bhandari’s appeal against extradition, citing concerns over possible extortion, threats, or violence inside Tihar Jail.
UK officials have also sought a written assurance from India that no prisoner extradited to Tihar would face mistreatment.
Government data shows that 178 extradition requests from India are pending in various countries, with at least 20 in the UK. These include high-profile economic offenders and several Khalistani separatists.
