No repatriation of habitual offenders: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday issued guidelines on repatriation of foreign prisoners lodged in Indian jails and Indians imprisoned abroad.

“As a rule, permission will not be granted to habitual or repeat offenders or members of any international or national organised crime gangs as the probability of their social rehabilitation is doubtful and their presence in India (even in prisons) can be detrimental to the larger interest of the country,” said the ministry.

“The Mission forwarding the request should prima facie satisfy itself on the basis of its intelligence inputs before forwarding the request for repatriation,” it said.

The MHA has also laid down a period of 38 days for processing requests on repatriation of Indians lodged in prisons abroad. India currently has agreements with 35 countries under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act.