Amit Shah calls for zero tolerance against fugitives, urges states to build international-standard prison cells

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said India must adopt a ruthless approach towards economic offenders, cyber criminals, terrorists, and other fugitives to ensure they are brought before the country’s justice system.

Speaking at a CBI-organised conference on ‘Extradition of Fugitives – Challenges and Strategies’ in New Delhi, Shah called for a “zero tolerance” policy not just against corruption, crime, and terrorism, but also against those operating from outside India’s borders.

“We must maintain zero tolerance against corruption, crime, and terrorism in India, but it is also our responsibility to maintain zero tolerance toward those who operate from outside India’s borders and to make efforts to bring them within the ambit of the law,” Shah said.

He urged all agencies to work in coordination and establish a concrete mechanism to ensure fugitives cannot evade the law. “Whether they are economic offenders, cyber criminals, those involved in terrorist activities, or part of organised crime networks, a ruthless approach must be adopted against every fugitive. The time has come for this,” he said.