What Reforms Are Suggested For Improving India’s Extradition Laws?

India's existing extradition framework, governed primarily by the Indian Extradition Act of 1962, has often faced criticism for being outdated, slow, and diplomatically complex. With the rise in cross-border crime and high-profile fugitive cases, calls for comprehensive reforms have intensified. These reforms aim to address delays, legal loopholes, and treaty limitations to make India's extradition mechanism faster, fairer, and more effective.

Suggested Reforms to Improve India’s Extradition Laws

Modernization of the Indian Extradition Act, 1962

The law needs to be updated to align with contemporary international standards and incorporate digital crime, cyber offenses, and evolving global security concerns.

Fast-Track Extradition Mechanisms

Establishing special fast-track courts for extradition-related matters can help reduce delays in legal proceedings and improve response time.

Expansion of Extradition Treaties

India should increase the number of formal extradition treaties, especially with countries where fugitives frequently take refuge. Priority targets include China, several EU countries, and offshore tax havens.

Review and Simplify Treaty Terms

Existing treaties should be revised to remove restrictive clauses that delay or prevent extradition, such as overly broad political offense exceptions.

Mutual Legal Assistance Strengthening

Enhance the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) process to allow better sharing of evidence and witness cooperation for faster case processing.

Incorporation of the Speciality Principle Exceptions

Introduce clear guidelines for seeking consent from the extraditing country to allow prosecution for offenses beyond those initially mentioned.

Dedicated International Legal Cells

Create specialized units within the Ministry of Home Affairs or MEA that handle all international extradition matters, offering legal expertise, coordination, and diplomacy under one roof.

Digital Infrastructure and Tracking

Develop a centralized online platform for tracking extradition cases, treaty status, and legal documentation across agencies like CBI, ED, MEA, and Interpol India.

Addressing Human Rights Concerns

Build transparent legal safeguards in the extradition process that meet international human rights standards, to avoid rejections on grounds like the death penalty or jail conditions.

Training and Capacity Building

Regularly train judges, prosecutors, and investigating officers on international legal protocols, documentation requirements, and diplomatic sensitivities involved in extradition.

Example

Consider the case of Mehul Choksi, who fled to Antigua and Barbuda after being accused in a major banking fraud case in India.

Challenges Faced:

• India had no extradition treaty with Antigua at the time.
• The process involved lengthy diplomatic and legal communication.
• The defense in Antigua raised human rights concerns about Choksi’s treatment in Indian custody.

Reform Application:

• If India had a pre-existing extradition treaty with Antigua, fast-track provisions, and better legal safeguards in place:
• The case could have moved faster through an agreed legal channel.
• Consent and cooperation could have been obtained without high-stakes diplomatic intervention.
• International courts would be more likely to trust India's justice system.