Tihar Jail Under Scrutiny: UK Officials Assess Conditions for Extradition Cases

In a move related to the extradition of Indian fugitives, a team from the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) visited Tihar Jail in Delhi. The focus of the visit was Jail No. 4, where first-time and high-security prisoners are held. The CPS team reviewed the jail’s facilities and security, engaging with inmates. This follows previous concerns raised by British courts about the conditions within Indian prisons, which have influenced extradition proceedings. India has responded by assuring the UK that extradited individuals will be held in secure and lawful conditions. The UK team, comprising four officials and accompanied by two officers from the British High Commission, spent time at Jail No. 4, observing high-security areas and speaking with inmates. Their visit was scheduled for July 16. Jail No. 4, designated as a ‘Mulaija Jail,’ accommodates first-time offenders, aiming to facilitate their reform by separating them from seasoned criminals. Furthermore, consideration is being given to creating a specialized high-security wing within the jail to house high-profile or sensitive inmates. India has filed 178 extradition requests with various countries, as of 2024, with 20 of these directed to the UK. Among the individuals sought for extradition are Vijay Mallya, accused of defaulting on substantial bank loans, and Nirav Modi, the main suspect in a large-scale fraud case involving the Punjab National Bank. Nirav Modi has been officially designated a fugitive economic offender, and his extradition has been approved by a UK court.