UK delegation visits Tihar Jail to assess prison facilities as India seeks extradition of fugitives
PTC News Desk: A delegation from the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recently visited Delhi's Tihar Jail to assess the prison conditions as India is seeking the extradition of fugitives from the United Kingdom including Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi.
According to sources, the assessment took place in July.
The team comprised four people - two CPS experts and two British High Commission officials, sources said.
The four-member team assessed the high-security ward in Tihar Jail and facilities and security provided to the prisoners. As per the sources, the delegation also interacted with some of the prisoners.
Officials said the UK assessment team expressed general satisfaction with prison facilities, describing the system as “good” and “close to international standards.” Indian authorities further assured the team that special arrangements could be made for high-profile extraditees, including separate accommodations if needed, and that their safety would be fully ensured, sources added.
The visit comes months after a UK court accepted arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari’s appeal against extradition to India, citing that he would face a “real risk” of extortion and possible violence from fellow inmates and prison staff in Tihar jail.
Government data shows that 178 extradition requests from India are currently pending across various countries, with at least 20 of them in the UK. These include high-profile fugitives such as Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Sanjay Bhandari, along with several Khalistani leaders.
- With inputs from agencies
