NEW DELHI — A delegation from the United Kingdom’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) visited Delhi’s Tihar Jail in July to assess prison conditions, a critical step in strengthening India’s legal case for the extradition of high-profile economic offenders like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. The visit, facilitated by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), comes after recent setbacks in UK courts, where extradition requests were denied based on concerns about Indian prison standards.
Senior officials who independently confirmed the visit stated that the four-member team—comprising two CPS experts and two officials from the British High Commission—was largely satisfied with the facilities and standards of care for inmates. To address any lingering concerns, Indian authorities assured the delegation that a dedicated “enclave” could be established within the Tihar complex to accommodate high-profile extraditees. This specialized unit would ensure their safety and specific needs are met in line with international standards.
The inspection is expected to produce a favorable report for UK authorities, which could significantly boost India’s efforts to bring back fugitives currently sheltering in the United Kingdom.
This move follows two recent legal defeats for India. On February 28, the UK High Court refused to extradite arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, citing a “real risk of extortion, torture or violence” in Tihar Jail. This decision was further echoed on April 11, when a magistrate released a fugitive couple, Virkaran and Ritika Awasty, on unconditional bail, explicitly referencing the Bhandari ruling. These judgments sent a clear message to Indian authorities that the UK courts were not convinced of the safety of Indian prisons.
In response, the CPS advised India to provide a sovereign guarantee that extradited individuals would not be tortured and would be treated in compliance with Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). As a result, the Indian government had already provided this assurance in the case of the Awastys.
Beyond the prison visit, the CPS team also met with senior officials from the MHA, the Ministry of External Affairs, and various investigating agencies to discuss the legal requirements for extradition. This collaborative effort highlights the importance both countries place on resolving these high-profile cases.
Currently, 178 extradition requests from Indian agencies are pending with various countries, with nearly 20 of them awaiting action in the UK alone. The list includes not only Mallya and Modi but also underworld figure Iqbal Mirchi’s family and several UK-based Khalistani leaders.