Why London Appeals To Indian Fugitives So Much |
A video of Lalit Modi (the founder of the cricket carnival, IPL) attending Vijay Mallya’s lavish 70th birthday bash in London went viral a few days ago, in which he was heard saying, “We are the two fugitives, the biggest fugitives of India.” He has since apologised—whether in contrition or just for form’s sake, nobody knows. The third biggest fugitive, Nirav Modi of the PNB scam, wasn’t on hand, obviously, because in December 2022, he lost his final appeal against an extradition request by Indian agencies and hence is lodged in a jail pending a decision on his request for political asylum by the UK government.
Why London becomes a haven
London attracts fugitives, especially from India, due to its strong rule of law, adherence to the Human Rights Act, and a legal system that can significantly delay extradition. This allows offenders to exploit loopholes by claiming political persecution or poor prison conditions, including torture or risk of death back home, effectively creating a temporary safe haven despite extradition treaties. The high costs and lengthy appeals process in UK courts further stall return, making it a preferred destination for economic offenders and criminals.
With shared legal roots from the British era, Indian fugitives and their UK-based lawyers understand the system well, giving them an advantage in fleeing to London. Nirav Modi,........