Strengthening India's Legal Framework: Amit Shah's Strategic Measures Against Fugitives

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has outlined a comprehensive strategy to bolster India's efforts in repatriating fugitives and ensuring they face justice within the country. Speaking at the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) conference on "Extradition of Fugitives: Challenges and Strategies," Shah emphasized the need for a coordinated and robust approach to address the growing concerns related to economic offenders, cyber criminals, and individuals involved in terrorism who operate from abroad.

Officials familiar with the process said revoking passports will make the fugitives stateless. (PTI file photo) | Hindustan Times

Establishment of International-Standard Prisons

Amit Shah proposed the creation of special prisons in each state and union territory that meet international standards. This initiative aims to counter claims by fugitives, such as Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choksi, who have contested their extradition by alleging substandard conditions in Indian prisons. By upgrading detention facilities, India seeks to reinforce the credibility of its legal system and ensure that extradition requests are not hindered by such allegations.

Revocation of Passports Upon Issuance of Red Notices

To prevent fugitives from exploiting legal loopholes, Shah recommended the immediate revocation of passports once Interpol issues a red notice against an individual. This measure is intended to render the fugitives stateless, thereby limiting their ability to travel and complicating their legal standing in foreign jurisdictions. Officials familiar with the process indicated that revoking passports would make the fugitives stateless, thereby hindering their movement across borders.

Creation of a National Fugitives Database

Shah emphasized the importance of developing a national database containing comprehensive information on fugitives. This database would include details about the individual's criminal activities, current status in foreign countries, and any associated networks. The information would be accessible to law enforcement agencies across all states and union territories, facilitating more effective tracking and coordination.

Establishment of Dedicated Extradition Cells

To further enhance the efficiency of extradition processes, Shah suggested the creation of specialized cells within each state and union territory. These cells would be dedicated solely to handling extradition cases, ensuring focused attention and expertise in managing such complex legal matters.

Utilization of Trial in Absentia Provisions

Acknowledging the challenges posed by fugitives who remain outside the country, Shah highlighted the importance of utilizing provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for trial in absentia. By conducting trials in the absence of the accused, India can proceed with legal proceedings and deliver justice, even when the individual is not physically present.

Advancements in Interpol Red Notice Processing

CBI Director Praveen Sood reported significant improvements in the processing time for issuing Interpol red notices. Thanks to the implementation of the Bharatpol initiative, the average processing time has been reduced from 14 months to just three months. Currently, only eight proposals for red notices are pending, indicating a substantial enhancement in the efficiency of international cooperation.

The MGMM Outlook

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has unveiled a strategic framework aimed at strengthening India’s legal system to ensure that fugitives face justice without delay. Key measures include the establishment of international-standard prisons across states to counter extradition challenges, immediate revocation of passports once Interpol issues red notices, and the creation of a comprehensive national database of fugitives. These initiatives are designed to enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies, prevent criminals from exploiting legal loopholes, and reinforce the credibility of India’s justice system on a global stage.

Shah also emphasized the importance of specialized extradition cells within each state, along with the use of trial in absentia provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), allowing legal proceedings to continue even if the accused is abroad. Additionally, advancements like the Bharatpol initiative have significantly reduced the processing time for Interpol red notices from 14 months to just three months. Collectively, these measures reflect a determined effort to modernize India’s legal and extradition mechanisms, making it harder for economic offenders, cyber criminals, and terror-linked fugitives to evade accountability internationally.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, NDTV, India TV News)