Bangladesh is going to sign an extradition treaty with the Indian government, paving the way for handing over of criminals to their respective countries, local daily The Independent reported Sunday.

It has become a common practice for the criminals of this region to take shelter in the neighboring countries to evade arrest.

A draft of the extradition treaty, prepared by the Indian side, was sent to Bangladesh government for scrutiny.

According to the daily, the concerned authorities of both the countries will fix the time for signing the treaty after completion of its review.

During the Home Secretary-level talks held this year in Dhaka both countries agreed to sign an extradition treaty and agreement for mutual legal assistance in this respect.

It is learnt that the scrutiny of the draft is almost complete and it would be sent to the concerned ministries for their approval.

Earlier Law Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed said that about 5, 000 foreign nationals including 980 from Myanmar and India are now staying in different jails in Bangladesh.

"Some of them have already completed their jail terms but they are not allowed to leave the country due to the absence of an extradition treaty," the minister was quoted as saying.

Around 200 criminals including top terrors are staying in India illegally.

Dhaka has also handed Delhi a long list of wanted criminals who have taken refuge in Kolkata and other parts of India to avoid arrest in Bangladesh.

The Indian government is yet to take necessary action in this regard, the daily said.

Source: Xinhua