Cabinet okays convention on mutual legal assistance for crimes

The union Cabinet on Thursday approved ratification of the Bay of Bengal Initiative on Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) convention on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.

The convention aims to extend widest measures of assistance to each other through mutual cooperation for enhancing capability and effectiveness of the member states in investigation and prosecution of crimes, including crimes related to terrorism, transnational organised crime, drug-trafficking, money laundering and cyber-crimes.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative on Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) comprises seven countries -- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

An official statement here said the ministry of home affairs has been designated as the central authority.

The establishment of regional arrangements for mutual assistance in criminal matters will greatly contribute to more effective cooperation in the control of criminal activities, the government said in a statement.

The statement added after signing as well as ratification of the Convention from the Indian side, the Instrument of Ratification will be deposited to the Secretary-General of BIMSTEC and the Convention shall enter into force on 30th day of the deposit of last instrument of ratification.