A team from the British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recently visited Delhi’s Tihar Jail to assess the conditions of inmates and the security measures within the prison, sources said.
The visit comes amid India’s ongoing efforts to secure the extradition of high-profile economic offenders who had fled the country to escape prosecution.
The three most prominent figures in focus are:
- Vijay Mallya, the liquor baron and former Member of Parliament, is accused of defrauding Indian banks of over ₹9,000 crore through Kingfisher Airlines. Facing charges of money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and financial fraud, Mallya left India in 2016, relocating to the United Kingdom to evade legal action.
- Nirav Modi, the diamond trader and jeweller, is wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, which involved fraudulent letters of undertaking worth approximately ₹14,000 crore. Modi left India in 2018 before investigations caught pace, initially moving to Hong Kong and later settling in the UK.
- Sanjay Bhandari, a UK-based arms consultant, is alleged to have been involved in financial irregularities and fraudulent deals in India, resulting in substantial economic losses. His presence in the UK has delayed legal proceedings in India.
The Tihar Visit
The CPS team, consisting of four officials—including two from the British High Commission—visited Tihar’s Jail No. 4 on July 16.
They inspected high-security wards and interacted with inmates. Jail No. 4 primarily houses first-time prisoners, but the officials were briefed on provisions for accommodating high-profile or high-risk inmates.
Sources revealed that Tihar authorities assured the CPS team that proper care and segregation would be provided for any prisoners extradited from the UK.
Special enclosures can be set up to separate high-profile offenders from other inmates, ensuring both security and compliance with international standards. The team also noted the conditions of prisoners,” said a source familiar with the visit.
Context: Crime and Flight from India
The crimes committed by these fugitives have shaken the Indian financial and corporate landscape. Mallya’s defaulting on loans and extravagant lifestyle drew nationwide outrage, while Nirav Modi’s scam left public sector banks reeling from multi-thousand-crore losses, undermining confidence in India’s banking system.
Sanjay Bhandari’s alleged arms-related financial frauds similarly caused significant economic disruption.
All three managed to escape Indian jurisdiction, exploiting loopholes and delays in the legal system, moving abroad to continue their lives while litigation dragged on.
However, the law is finally catching up with them, as Indian authorities intensify diplomatic and legal efforts to bring them back to face justice.
Extradition Efforts and Legal Cooperation
As of 2024, India has submitted 178 extradition requests to countries worldwide since January 2019, of which 20 involve individuals in the UK.
These include individuals linked to terrorist activities and economic crimes. Since 2019, 23 fugitives have been successfully extradited to India, showing the progress of law enforcement in curbing transnational flight.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK in July, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that India is working closely with the UK government to secure the return of Mallya, Nirav Modi, and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, reinforcing India’s determination to uphold justice and accountability.
Looking Ahead
The CPS team’s assessment of Tihar Jail signals a commitment from both countries to ensure humane and secure detention conditions for extradited prisoners. For India, bringing these fugitives back is not just about punishment, but also sending a message that financial crimes, no matter how sophisticated or cross-border, will not go unpunished.
With increasing international cooperation, India aims to close loopholes that allowed these offenders to flee, ensuring that violators of the law are held accountable and the public’s trust in financial and legal institutions is restored.
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