Live Mint: New Delhi: Friday, 28 June 2024.
Says disclosure of information would "impede the process of prosecution of offenders" MEA cites an RTI clause in order to not share extradition details
The Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA) has refused to share details on the extradition of fugitive
businessmen Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, citing an RTI clause that bars
disclosure of information which would "impede the process of prosecution
of offenders".
In a reply to an RTI query, it said requests for extradition of Mallya and Modi have been sent to the UK government.
"They are under the consideration of the concerned UK authorities. Copy of communications in this regard may not be provided under Section 8 (1) (h) of Right to Information (RTI) Act," the ministry said in response to the application filed by this PTI journalist.
The section bars disclosure of "information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders".
Embattled liquor tycoon Mallya is out on bail in the UK. The former Kingfisher Airlines' boss is wanted in India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to ₹9,000 crore.
India's request to extradite Mallya was approved by UK home secretary in February this year.
He has appealed against his extradition order, a hearing for which is now scheduled in the UK High Court on July 2.
Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi is also contesting extradition proceedings in London.
He has been denied bail for the third time in his extradition case to India to face charges in the Punjab National Bank fraud and money laundering case amounting to up to $2 billion and will continue to be lodged in a London jail described by his lawyers as "unliveable".
Says disclosure of information would "impede the process of prosecution of offenders" MEA cites an RTI clause in order to not share extradition details
In a reply to an RTI query, it said requests for extradition of Mallya and Modi have been sent to the UK government.
"They are under the consideration of the concerned UK authorities. Copy of communications in this regard may not be provided under Section 8 (1) (h) of Right to Information (RTI) Act," the ministry said in response to the application filed by this PTI journalist.
The section bars disclosure of "information which would impede the process of investigation or apprehension or prosecution of offenders".
Embattled liquor tycoon Mallya is out on bail in the UK. The former Kingfisher Airlines' boss is wanted in India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to ₹9,000 crore.
India's request to extradite Mallya was approved by UK home secretary in February this year.
He has appealed against his extradition order, a hearing for which is now scheduled in the UK High Court on July 2.
Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi is also contesting extradition proceedings in London.
He has been denied bail for the third time in his extradition case to India to face charges in the Punjab National Bank fraud and money laundering case amounting to up to $2 billion and will continue to be lodged in a London jail described by his lawyers as "unliveable".
.JPG)
.JPG)
