SC pulls up govt over delay in extradition of fugitives

The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the government over delay in extradition matters of fugitives, saying it seemed not bothered to bring back people to face laws here.

A bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Mohan M Shantanagoundar said, "somebody has run away from the country but the government isn't doing anything about it."

The court was dealing with a matter relating to the extradition of a businesswoman, Ritika Awasty, who is facing criminal trial in India but was allowed to travel to London on apex court's direction in January, 2016.

The apex court had earlier forfeited Rs 86 lakh deposited by her as security and directed for revoking her passport as well as initiated contempt proceedings against her.

"What is this attitude? You don't even bother about the orders of the Supreme Court. We have been virtually extending threats to the officers in the Ministry of External Affairs but you still don't act," the bench told Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh and senior advocate V Mohana.

"We have been issuing orders in this case for the last eight months, but you have done nothing. You should tell us what is going on and why are you (Centre) not acting," the bench said.

Expressing annoyance over appearance of different government lawyers on different dates in the matter, the bench said: "We think we will now call the secretaries in the MEA. They will be called to court to explain. That seems to be the only way forward now."