Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, GS3/ Internal Security
Context
- Union Home Minister, at a conference on “Extradition of Fugitives: Challenges and Strategies” organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), urged States to construct special prisons for fugitives in line with international standards.
Need for Special Prisons
- Extradition Obstacles: Many fugitives wanted by Indian authorities resist extradition in foreign courts, arguing that Indian prisons do not meet international human rights and safety standards.
- Courts in several countries have, at times, delayed or denied extradition on humanitarian grounds citing concerns like overcrowding, poor sanitation, and lack of medical care in Indian jails.
- Compliance with International Standards: Constructing special prisons for fugitives in line with UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) would help India counter these objections and demonstrate its commitment to humane treatment.
- Global Legal Standing: Special prisons will improve India’s credibility before foreign courts and strengthen its ability to bring back fugitives involved in terrorism, financial fraud, corruption, and other transnational crimes.
Existing Issues in Indian Prisons
- Overcrowding: As per the Prison Statistics India 2023 report by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India’s prisons operated at an average occupancy rate of 120.8%.
- Poor Infrastructure and Hygiene: Many prisons face challenges like inadequate ventilation, sanitation, and access to healthcare. Such conditions fail to meet international norms and are often cited as grounds to deny extradition.
- Lack of Classification: There is no separate category of detention facilities for economic offenders, foreign nationals, or high-risk fugitives.
- Reports from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), have highlighted cases of custodial violence, delayed medical attention, and limited legal access, further weakening India’s position in international courts.
Reforming the Extradition Mechanism
- Passport Coordination System: The Home Minister highlighted the need for real-time coordination between the passport issuance process and law enforcement agencies.
- Passports should be red-flagged, seized, or cancelled immediately after a Red Corner Notice (RCN) is issued by Interpol to prevent international travel by fugitives.
- Blue Corner to Red Corner Notice Conversion: A special campaign will be launched to convert Blue Corner Notices (issued for information) into Red Corner Notices (requests for arrest and extradition).
- Each State will have a dedicated cell for monitoring and implementing this conversion.
- Multi-Agency Coordination: A joint task force under the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), involving the CBI and Intelligence Bureau (IB), will ensure seamless coordination in tracking and extraditing fugitives.
Related Developments and Progress Achieved
- Global Operation Centre (CBI): The CBI has established a Global Operation Centre to coordinate with international police agencies in real time.
- Over 190 Red Corner Notices were issued till September 2025, a record high in the CBI’s history.
- Asset Recovery: Under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (2018), the government has recovered nearly $2 billion from assets of economic fugitives in the last four years.
- The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been further strengthened, with assets worth about $12 billion attached between 2014 and 2023.
Way Ahead
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Establish model detention facilities meeting international norms.
- Legal Reforms: Streamline extradition procedures under the Extradition Act, 1962.
- Diplomatic Engagements: Strengthen bilateral treaties and mutual legal assistance agreements (MLATs).
- Capacity Building: Train State police and CBI personnel on international legal cooperation.
- Public Transparency: Regular updates on fugitive tracking and extradition outcomes to build public trust.
Source: PIB
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