Did you know that these are the Indian fugitives in UK apart from Mallya?

We have came across a lot of fugitive cases around the world. But currently India is trending with fugitive cases, we should be thankful to all the people like Vijay Mallya for that matter. Readers, please understand that it was sarcastic and let’s understand what exactly fugitive means? Here is the answer, a fugitive is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from jail, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals.

Now let’s move ahead with the example of Vijal Mallya to understand this term in detail, Mallya is officially announced as fugitive in India. And Indian agencies have proceed along with a case in Westminster Magistrate’s Court in London for extradition of Vijay Mallya. Last year on February 9 the external affairs ministry handed a formal extradition request to the British High Commission in New Delhi regarding Mallya case.

But last week Mallya lost his appeal in a UK High Court to consider him over the order given in favour of Indian banks for recovery of funds amounting to around Rs 9,000 crore. Also, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh told Parliament yesterday, July 30 that the process for extradition of Vijay Mallya was in progress as per the India-UK extradition treaty.

Indian Most Wanted Fugitives living in the UK:

You must be curious to know some information about India-UK extradition treaty mentioned by Singh. So a year after liberalisation in 1992, India and the UK signed extradition treaty as a directive by the IMF and World on the request of Washington DC and London who opened Indian markets to their multi-national companies. This treaty says India can make an extradition request to any country. While India’s treaty partners have treaty obligations to consider India’s requests and in the absence of a treaty, it is a matter for the foreign country to consider, in accordance with its domestic laws and procedures, whether the country can agree to India’s extradition request on the basis of an assurance of reciprocity.

Similarly, any country can make an extradition request to India. The legal basis for Extradition with States with whom India does not have an Extradition Treaty (“non-Treaty States”) is provided by Section 3(4) of the Indian Extradition Act, 1962.

After that it’s been 26 years of treaty being in operation, but UK has accepted only one request regarding extradition of a fugitive living in that country. That case was regarding 2002 Gujarat riots in which Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel was wanted and who have been extradited to India in the year 2016 in the month of October.

1. Lalit Modi

The Enforcement Directorate is handling case of Lalit Modi, who is charged with financial irregularities under various laws including FEMA.

2. Tiger Hanif

His real name is Mohammed Hanif Umerji Patel, who was involved in 1993 Gujarat bombing case. He is suspected to be abet of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

3. Ravi Shankaran

He is an ex Indian Naval clearance diving officer who is allegedly now an arms dealer and is the prime accused in a case of military surveillance for commercial purposes which has international implications.

4. Nadeem Saifi

He was in partnership with Shravan Rathor to compose music in Bollywood films. He was wanted in the case of Gulshan Kumar murder in the year 1997. He was set free from criminal charges against him but UK government never agreed to his extradition.

5. Raymond Varley

Despite India’s repeated appeals, Raymond Varley, the British citizen facing charges of sexual offences against children in Goa from 1989-1991, was not extradited to India.

6. Sudhir Choudhrie

He is London-based businessman with interests in healthcare, aviation, hospitality, and the arms trade. There is a Red corner notice by CBI out for him. And he is accused of allegedly taking bribes from defence companies like Rolls-Royce and MiG for contracts.

After going through this list, all we can do is hoping that there will be no addition to it. In fact it’s high time that UK should consider India’s appeals in such cases.

Also Read: UK court grants permission to seize Vijay Mallya’s Hertfordshire properties