Foreign prisoners lodged in Indian jails and Indians imprisoned abroad may soon be repatriated to their respective countries as the government is negotiating accords with more interested nations on the issue.
However, such permission shall not be granted to habitual offenders and those charged with heinous crimes like serial killings, terrorism and paedophiles.
As per the guidelines issued by Home Ministry today, a report from Intelligence Bureau (IB) need to be obtained on the possible connections of the prisoner with any international or national gangs of organised crimes before he is repatriated to India.
Similarly, an IB report is also required for a foreign prisoner seeking information whether his repatriation shall in any way be against the national interest and whether there are any chances of his pursuing anti-India activities on his return to his native country, it said.
India at present has operational agreements with 35 nations including the US, UK, Italy, Israel, Bangladesh, Maldives, Canada, Brazil and Turkey among others, under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2013.
The prisoners of these countries in India and Indian prisoners in these countries can apply for repatriation. The agreements on transfer of sentenced persons are being negotiated with interested countries, a directive issued recently by Home Ministry to states and union territories in this regard said.
The Home Ministry has issued a time line of at least 38 days for processing requests on repatriation of Indians lodged in prisons abroad to India.
As per the guidelines, a prisoner can submit an application to prison authorities or Indian Mission in that country. It is then needed to be forwarded to the Home Ministry with all relevant details and records.
