As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to raise the issue of the return of Indian economic offenders during talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the spotlight once again turns to the long-standing problem of high-profile fugitives finding refuge in Britain. Over the past decade, several Indian economic offenders have made the UK their base, exploiting legal loopholes and lengthy extradition procedures to evade justice back home.
Why the UK is considered a ‘safe haven’
The UK’s legal system, while robust and independent, is also slow-moving and provides multiple layers of appeals, especially in extradition cases. Under the UK Extradition Act 2003, fugitives can contest their removal on several grounds, ranging from human rights concerns to the condition of prisons in the requesting country. This legal complexity, combined with the absence of a time-bound framework for extradition, has allowed many Indian fugitives to delay or even derail their return.
Moreover, the UK does not have an extradition treaty with India that guarantees automatic approval. Although the two countries signed an extradition treaty in 1992, only a few fugitives have been returned to India since then, with high-profile cases often caught in bureaucratic or legal wrangling.
Major offenders hiding in the UK
Vijay Mallya
The former liquor baron and ex-MP owes over Rs 9,000 crore to Indian banks. Accused of fraud and money laundering, Mallya fled to the UK in 2016. Though a UK court cleared his extradition in 2018, Mallya continues to remain in Britain, citing “secret” legal proceedings related to his asylum claim. The delay has tested India’s patience and become emblematic of the larger extradition challenge.
Nirav Modi
A billionaire diamond trader, Nirav Modi is wanted in India for allegedly masterminding the Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank scam. He was arrested in London in 2019 and is currently lodged in a UK prison. A Westminster Magistrates’ Court cleared his extradition in 2021, and the UK Home Secretary approved it — yet Nirav remains in the country due to an appeal against the decision in the High Court, claiming mental health issues.
Lalit Modi
The former IPL commissioner fled India in 2010 amid investigations into money laundering and financial irregularities. While Indian agencies have sought his extradition, Lalit Modi has continued to live in London freely, often posting pictures from high-society events and vacations. No significant legal proceedings have moved forward in his case, and India’s requests have made little headway.
Sanjay Bhandari
An arms dealer and considered as a close associate of Congress leader Robert Vadra, Bhandari is facing charges of money laundering and violating the Official Secrets Act. He has been living in the UK since 2016. India formally requested his extradition in 2020, but proceedings are still ongoing, with Bhandari contesting the move in British courts.
A diplomatic sticking point
The Indian government has repeatedly conveyed its frustration over the slow pace of extradition and the apparent leniency offered to fugitives in the UK. For New Delhi, this issue is not only about recovering billions in defrauded funds but also about demonstrating that economic fugitives cannot escape justice by fleeing abroad.
India has assured UK authorities of its commitment to upholding human rights and providing adequate prison conditions for extradited individuals -- often a key concern in UK court proceedings. Yet, these assurances have not translated into swift results.
What's at stake
As PM Modi prepares to engage with Prime Minister Starmer, the return of fugitives like Mallya and Nirav Modi will be high on the agenda. A breakthrough on this front would not only bolster India’s legal credibility but also mark a turning point in Indo-UK relations, moving beyond symbolism to deliver concrete outcomes.
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