The role of human rights in extradition: the imperatives of reforming the Indian extradition law

The mobility of criminals and the consequent internationalization of crime have made domestic criminal law enforcement dependent upon international cooperation. As there is no general obligation of extradition at the international level, every country outlines the conditions and procedure, subject to which requests for extradition are granted. In fact, from the origin of the extradition system, objections stemming from human rights have been the major considerations in the grant or decline of extradition. It is in this background that the article examines and critically reviews the current level of the human rights protections afforded to persons facing extradition under the Indian Extradition Act, 1962. This article notes that in the field of extradition and human rights, several landmark legal developments have occurred in the last 50 years, and accordingly calls for a complete overhaul of the Indian extradition framework, so that India truly and effectively cooperates with other countries in criminal matters.