The Union Cabinet today approved a proposal for signing a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between India and Bulgaria and also for the ratification of the Treaty.
The Treaty seeks to improve effective cooperation between India and Bulgaria in the matter of investigation, prosecution, and suppression of crime through cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
Similar Treaties/Agreements have already been signed with United Kingdom, Canada, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey, France, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United States of America, South Africa, Bahrain, Thailand, Kuwait, South Korea, Singapore, Belarus and Mauritius.
Salient Features of the Treaty:
The proposed treaty envisages that the Contracting States shall provide to each other the widest measures of mutual legal assistance in criminal matters irrespective of whether the assistance is sought or, is to be provided by a court or some other authority. The assistance to be provided shall include locating and identifying persons and objects; service of summons and other judicial documents; taking of evidence obtaining testimony from persons, including expert examination; inspection, search and seizure; providing material and documentary evidence; making persons in custody and others, including experts, available to give evidence or assist in investigations; location, restraining, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds and instruments of crime; providing relevant judicial records and exchange of legal information.
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YSR/HS/CS
(Release ID :16212)