Asserting the need for uncompromising action against law violators, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Thursday the time has come to ensure a system that adopts a ruthless approach towards economic offenders, cyber criminals, and those involved in terror operatives, and to bring every fugitive before the country’s justice system within a set timeframe.
While addressing the two-day conference, Extradition of Fugitives – Challenges and Strategies, organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi, Shah said, “India cannot be truly secure until those residing abroad who harm the country’s economy, sovereignty, and security begin to fear the Indian justice system.”
“While maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, crime, and terrorism within the country, we must also adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards those operating such activities from beyond India’s borders. It is our responsibility to bring all such criminals under the purview of Indian laws, and to create a robust mechanism for this purpose… It should be our collective resolve that no matter how cunning a criminal may be, the reach of justice must be even swifter,” he said on the first day of the conference.
Shah highlighted that the conference will feature meaningful discussions across seven sessions on various topics, including cyber technology, financial crimes, tracing the source and flow of funds, simplifying complex extradition processes, bringing fugitives back, creating a database of their geographical locations, and utilising this mechanism through cooperation with international police.
Purpose and process
Emphasising two elements – assurance and ecosystem – Shah said they are essential to apprehend any fugitive. “The issue of fugitive criminals is linked to the country’s sovereignty, economic stability, law and order, and national security. After a long time, a structured approach to this subject is being developed. There is a need to eliminate the assurance in the minds of fugitive criminals that the law cannot reach them. Moreover, the ecosystem of legal, financial, and political support must also be dismantled. The institutional nexus created by fugitives abroad must also be eradicated,” he added.
Shah said that the Indian extradition system requires purpose and process. “Our extradition system should have five objectives: ensuring the reach of justice beyond borders, strengthening national security by making the identification system state-of-the-art and precise, enhancing our international credibility regarding law and judicial systems, protecting the economic system while involving other countries in our concerns, and gaining global acceptance for the rule of law,” he said.
The Union home minister said that by improving the process through seamless communication, a strategic approach, and organised execution, they can achieve this goal.
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He said that after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, several reforms were implemented. “In 2018, we introduced the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, which empowered the government to seize the assets of economic fugitives located in India. Over the past four years, the government has recovered nearly two billion dollars under this law. The Money Laundering Act has been made more stringent and robust, and between 2014 and 2023, assets worth about $12 billion have been attached,” he said.
“From January to September this year, more than 190 Red Corner Notices have been issued, which is the highest in the history of the CBI. After 2027, justice will be delivered in any case up to the level of the Supreme Court within three years,” he said.
