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A UK court on Thursday ruled that fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an estimated USD 2 billion.
The court accepted the Indian case that he threatened witnesses and tampered with evidence.
London: A UK court on Thursday (February 25) ruled that fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi can be extradited to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an estimated USD 2 billion.
The court ordered the extradition of Nirav Modi, who is wanted for fraud and money laundering in the ₹ 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, accepting the Indian case that he threatened witnesses and tampered with evidence.
Nirav Modi can be extradited to India to stand trial, rules UK court
Modi is accused of duping the Punjab National Bank of more than Rs 13,000 crore. Updated Feb 26, 2021 · 12:32 am A file photo of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi. | PTI
The Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the United Kingdom on Thursday ordered that fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi can be extradited to India to face trial, ANI reported.
Modi is accused of duping the Punjab National Bank of more than Rs 13,000 crore. He was arrested on March 19, 2019, and has been lodged in London’s Wandsworth jail.
“I am satisfied that Nirav Modi’s extradition to India is in compliance per human rights,” District Judge Samuel Goozee said, adding that the businessman had the right to appeal the order, according to NDTV. “There is no evidence that if extradited Nirav Modi will not get justice.”
From flashy diamantaire to fugitive: The rise and fall of Nirav Modi
From flashy diamantaire to fugitive: The rise and fall of Nirav Modi
The diamond merchant wanted in India on charges of fraud and money laundering in the estimated USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case was arrested on an extradition warrant on March 19, 2019.
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UPDATED: February 25, 2021 20:06 IST
Nirav Modi is wanted in India for fraud and money laundering in connection with Rs 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.
From a third-generation diamantaire who grew up in the European jewellery hub of Antwerp in Belgium, to ending up in one of Europe’s most overcrowded prisons, Nirav Modi s journey is one of stark contrasts.
Updated Feb 25, 2021 | 20:25 IST
A UK District court accepted that Nirav Modi has to face trial in India over fraud and money laundering charges in Rs 14,000-cr PNB scandal, adding that businessman may appeal against the order in High Court Nirav Modi | Photo Credit: IANS
The UK Westminster Magistrates Court in London, on Thursday, in its 83-page order struck down Nirav Modi s defence that he won t be given a fair trial in India. The court also junked another contention by Modi s defence team on his mental health worsening due to pandemic and potential human rights violation in India. There is no evidence that if extradited Nirav Modi will not get justice, said UK court, striking down Modi s defence that the latter will not get a fair trial.