UK government approves Nirav Modi’s extradition

Nirav Modi allegedly perpetrated the fraud in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in collusion with his uncle Mehul Choksi.

The United Kingdom’s Home Secretary Priti Patel signed scam-accused billionaire Nirav Modi’s extradition, a Central Bureau of Investigation official said on Friday, reported news agency ANI.

The fugitive diamond merchant is wanted in India on the charges of fraud and money-laundering – arrested in March 2019 in London and charged with money laundering and defrauding a bank of more than Rs 11,000 crore.

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He had allegedly perpetrated the fraud in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) in collusion with his uncle Mehul Choksi.

Back in February, a UK court had reportedly ordered his extradition to India to stand trial after dismissing arguments of his “mental health concerns,” saying they are not unusual in a man in his circumstances.

“I do not accept that Nirav Modi was involved in a legitimate business. I find no genuine transactions and believe there is a process of dishonesty,” the judge said, as reported by NDTV.

The judge continued, “Many of these are a matter for trial in India. I am satisfied again that there is evidence he could be convicted. Prima facie there is a case of money laundering.”

The findings of the court were sent to the UK Home Department as per which it cleared the extradition.

Nirav Modi was once a celebrity jeweller to movie stars in India and abroad. He was arrested in 2019 from a metro station in London on an extradition warrant and was repeatedly denied bail as he was seen as a flight risk.