MHA issues revised norms for mutual legal assistance treaties

NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry has issued revised guidelines for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with other nations as part of the government's policy of zero tolerance for crime and in an endeavour to fast- track the dispensation of justice.

India has signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLAT) with 42 countries for cooperation in criminal matters and the home ministry is the designated 'central authority' for the country for it, an official statement said.

The home ministry has also taken steps to enhance and streamline the process of international mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, it said. The revised guidelines for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters were issued by the home ministry in December 2019.


Under the MLAT, a country can request for obtaining evidence for criminal investigations and prosecutions. The evidence includes witness statements or the service of documents among others. The revised guidelines provide step-by-step guidance to the investigation agencies for drafting and processing letters rogatory or mutual legal assistance requests and service of summons, notices and other judicial documents.