External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has strongly urged the United Kingdom to expedite the extradition of fugitive economic offenders who have fled Bharat, emphasizing that failure to act responsibly will harm the UK’s reputation. He stated that the UK risks being seen as a haven for tax evaders and defaulters if it does not cooperate.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Jaishankar addressed questions about the complicated extradition process. He pointed out that most high-profile offenders have sought refuge in the UK and that Bharat has consistently presented its case forcefully. “Multiple rounds of legal proceedings have gone in our favour,” he noted, stressing that the delays are on the UK’s side.
Jaishankar made it clear that Bharat is pressing vigorously for the return of these fugitives. He criticized the various arguments and legal maneuvers used by these offenders to avoid extradition. “We continue to press very, very strongly for their return,” he asserted, highlighting Bharat’s ongoing efforts.
Extradition is a legal process where one country formally requests the transfer of a fugitive from another nation to face justice. This process typically relies on bilateral or multilateral treaties between countries. Bharat’s persistent requests are aimed at ensuring that fugitives are brought back to face the Bharatiya judicial system.
One of the prominent fugitives is Mehul Choksi, a Bharatiya businessman who is currently in Antigua and Barbuda, where he holds citizenship. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of over Rs 14,000 crore.
The scam was discovered by PNB on January 25, 2018, and reported to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 29, 2018. Choksi fled Bharat just before the scam was uncovered and is wanted for multiple charges including criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Nirav Modi, Choksi’s nephew, is currently in a UK jail awaiting extradition to Bharat. Despite the legal proceedings favoring Bharat’s case, the extradition process remains stalled. Both Modi and Choksi had their passports suspended by the Ministry of External Affairs after the scam was revealed.
Another high-profile fugitive, Vijay Mallya, a liquor baron accused of defaulting on bank loans amounting to over Rs 9,000 crore, is also in the UK. Mallya’s case further underscores the challenges Bharat faces in bringing economic offenders back to face justice.
Jaishankar’s statements reflect Bharat’s frustration with the slow extradition process and highlight the importance of international cooperation in tackling financial crimes. The minister’s appeal to the UK aims to expedite these cases and restore faith in the effectiveness of global legal frameworks.
Comments