New Delhi, Oct 03: The Union Cabinet today gave its formal nod to an extradition agreement between India and France which was signed in Paris during the visit of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in January this year. Among other things, the agreement would provide a legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitive criminals from and to France.

Under the accord, any offence punishable with imprisonment for atleast a two-year period would be an extraditable offence.

Offences related to fiscal matters, customs duty or currency exchange are also covered under this agreement.

It has been made clear that extradition will not be granted if sought for a political offence or is connected with such an offence.
Extradition will also not be available if the request for it is believed to have been made for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing a person on account of his or her race, religion, nationality or political opinion.

The accord also stipulates that extradition may be refuse if the offence committed is punishable by death penalty in the requesting state and the same is not punishable by the capital sentence in the requested country unless the requesting country gives an assurance that death penalty would not be awarded or if imposed would not be carried out.

The cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, authorized the ratification of the agreement.

Bureau Report