The CBI has already received 34 complaints from foreign countries seeking legal help for prosecution.
The country's premier investigation agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI, can now help foreign governments prosecute an Indian citizen wanted in that country for any criminal offence.
The decision comes after a communication to the CBI from the foreign ministry, which has received requests to that effect from foreign law enforcement agencies. The CBI now becomes the nodal agency for what is being referred to as 'local prosecution'.
Now, in cases where an Indian citizen is accused of committing a crime in a foreign country, and has returned to India to escape prosecution from law enforcement agencies abroad, will now be liable to be prosecuted by the CBI.
The CBI will examine the evidence on record given by foreign governments, and based on merits of the case, will proceed to prosecute that Indian citizen in the crime for which he has been charged abroad.
"This will be different from Interpol, because in Interpol requests are made on the basis of wanted criminals from across the world, who can be detained at airports depending on whether there are detention notices issued against him. This is only meant for Indian citizens. It will be irrespective of whether we have an extradition treaty with that country or not," said a senior CBI officer.
"He or she will be prosecuted as per Indian law, related to that criminal charge," the officer added.
The CBI has already received 34 complaints from foreign countries seeking legal help for prosecution.