India and Saudi Arabia are in talks to sign a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to obtain formal assistance from each other in investigations related to criminal cases.

Why in news?

• Saudi Arabia is only among a dozen other countries that does not have either an MLAT or any other bilateral agreement with India to facilitate such investigations.
• India has so far signed MLATs with 45 countries, and is also in talks to finalise MLATs with Italy and Germany.

What are MLATs?

• The MLATs in criminal matters are the bilateral treaties entered between countries for providing international cooperation and assistance.
• These agreements allow for the exchange of evidence and information in criminal and related matters between the signing countries.

Benefits of Treaty

• It enhances the effectiveness of participating countries in the investigation and prosecution of crime, through cooperation and mutual legal assistance.
• It will provide a broad legal framework for tracing, restraining and confiscation of proceeds and instruments of crime as well as the funds meant to finance terrorist acts.
• It will be instrumental in gaining better inputs and insights in the modus operandi of organized criminals and terrorists.
• These in turn can be used to fine-tune policy decisions in the field of internal security.

Enforcing MLATs in India

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal Ministry and the Central authority for seeking and providing mutual legal assistance in criminal law matters.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) may be involved in this process when such requests are routed through diplomatic channels by these Ministries.
• Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) speaks of reciprocal arrangements to be made by the Centre with the Foreign Governments

Why is India seeking such a treaty with Saudi?

• In the past, Saudi Arabia has deported several terror suspects on India’s request.
• The treat would help in getting a conviction for an accused in a court of law, based on evidence gathered through the mutual agreement.

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