Union Home Minister Amit Shah has proposed establishing special jails in every state and Union Territory to house fugitives, aiming to expedite their extradition and ensure they face Indian justice. Addressing a CBI conference on extradition strategies, Shah emphasized the necessity of these facilities to meet international standards and counter arguments frequently used by absconders in foreign courts. Fugitives like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choksi have often claimed that Indian prisons lack adequate human rights safeguards during extradition proceedings.
Shah also suggested revoking the passports of fugitives as soon as Interpol Red Notices are issued against them. He believes this measure will restrict their international travel and prevent them from moving freely across borders. A Red Notice is a request to Interpol's 195 member countries to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action. Revoking passports would effectively render these individuals stateless, further limiting their options.
In addition to special jails and passport revocations, Shah recommended creating a national database of fugitives, detailing their crimes, locations, networks, and extradition status. This database would be shared with police forces across all states and Union Territories to enhance coordination and efficiency in extradition efforts. He also urged the creation of special expert cells within state police departments to handle extradition cases effectively, guided by a dedicated division within the CBI. These cells would require specialized knowledge of India's treaties with other countries and international laws.
Shah highlighted the importance of utilizing Sections 355 and 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which allows for "trial in absentia," enabling courts to proceed with trials even if the accused is not physically present. If convicted, fugitives can only appeal to higher courts by physically appearing before them. This provision, newly introduced, aims to ensure that legal proceedings can continue without being stalled by the absence of the accused.
The Home Minister stressed that India cannot be truly secure until those who harm the nation's economy, sovereignty, and security from abroad are brought to justice. He noted that the introduction of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in 2018 has led to the recovery of nearly $2 billion from fugitives. Shah underscored the need to instill fear of the Indian legal system in the minds of those who seek to evade it. He also pointed out the necessity of dismantling the ecosystem of legal, financial, and political support that fugitives often rely on.
Shah stated that a "ruthless approach" must be adopted to ensure that every fugitive faces the Indian justice system in a timely manner. He emphasized the importance of eliminating any sense of assurance among fugitive criminals that they are beyond the reach of Indian law. As of October 2025, India has 338 extradition requests pending with various countries, seeking the return of individuals wanted for financial crimes, terrorism, narcotics smuggling, and other offenses.
