India and Nepal also have decided to expedite the revision of their 1953 Extradition Treaty, which is seen as outdated.
- In the absence of an updated Extradition Treaty, legal and administrative challenges have hindered smooth transfer of criminals between India and Nepal.
About Extradition
- Definition: An extradition is the surrender by one State to another of a person desired to be dealt with for crimes which he has been accused of or convicted for and which are justifiable in the courts of the other states.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the central authority.
About India-Nepal Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) Agreement
- Mutual legal assistance (MLA) in criminal matters: It help countries request evidence, share intelligence, and support investigations. India has signed such treaties with 42 countries including the U.S. (2005), Israel (2015), etc.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs is the central authority.
- Benefit of the Agreement: Itwill formalize and standardize procedures for cooperation in criminal matters.
- The officials will have a clear legal mandate to share evidence and information. This leads to faster investigations and prosecutions.
What were the Challenges Faced in the Absence of MLA Agreement
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