What to Expect from HM Shah's Conference on Extradition of Fugitives?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Strengthening international cooperation in extradition processes.
- Utilization of technology for tracking fugitives.
- Addressing legal loopholes causing delays.
- Collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies.
- Development of actionable strategies for timely extraditions.
New Delhi, Oct 16 (NationPress) Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah is set to inaugurate a two-day conference titled 'Extradition of Fugitives: Challenges and Strategies' in New Delhi this Thursday.
This significant event is being organized by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Attendees will include senior officials from various central and state police agencies, all aiming to enhance international police cooperation for tracking down and repatriating fugitives wanted in India.
Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), along with other relevant stakeholders, will also be present.
The discussions over the two days will encompass a variety of essential topics, such as the effective employment of both formal and informal avenues for global cooperation, the utilization of technology to locate fugitive criminals, strategic methodologies for extradition, and the financial footprints of wanted individuals.
Special sessions will explore critical issues concerning narcotics, terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, and economic offenses.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India has ramped up its focus on international collaboration in criminal investigations.
In July, Amit Shah advocated for a coordinated strategy to hasten the return of wanted fugitives from abroad. The conference's objective is to devise actionable strategies for this goal via legal and diplomatic channels within a specified timeframe.
Currently, over 300 extradition requests from India are pending with various foreign governments, with delays often attributed to fugitives taking advantage of legal loopholes in host nations.
Many of these offenders are linked with organized criminal syndicates and continue their operations from overseas.
During the conference, law enforcement bodies and subject-matter experts will discuss practical solutions to address these challenges and lay out a roadmap for expedited extradition of fugitive criminals.
Previously, Shah launched the BHARATPOL portal, created by the CBI, which connects district police units, state police, central law enforcement bodies, and the CBI on a unified platform for seamless information exchange.
The CBI anticipates that the insights and discussions during this conference will help formulate innovative strategies and enhance collaboration among agencies, bolstering India’s mission to bring fugitives to justice.