Nirav Modi's extradition process to move forward after UK legal proceedings conclude: MEA
New Delhi, July 28
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday reiterated that fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi will be extradited from the United Kingdom to India once all the legal proceedings are concluded.
"As far as Nirav Modi is concerned, as we have informed you earlier, certain judicial proceedings are currently underway in the UK. Once those legal proceedings are concluded, the process of his extradition will move forward," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while addressing media queries at a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"We are closely following those legal proceedings. The Government of India's position remains firm that all fugitive offenders should be brought back to India and made to face the judicial process here," he added.
In March, the High Court of Justice, King's Bench Division in London, rejected Nirav Modi's petition seeking to reopen proceedings against his extradition order to India.
The case was argued by the Crown Prosecution Service advocate, assisted by a dedicated team from the Central Bureau of Investigation, which included investigating officers who had travelled to London to support the hearing.
The application to reopen the case was filed on the basis of the Bhandari judgment, a ruling delivered by a UK High Court in the case of defence middleman Sanjay Bhandari.
Nirav Modi is wanted in India in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case, which involved the alleged use of fraudulent guarantees issued in the name of the state-run lender to obtain overseas loans.
He had left India in January 2018, shortly before the CBI initiated its probe into the scam.
Following his arrest in the United Kingdom in 2019, British courts had approved his extradition to India. The courts, while considering the case, had accepted assurances regarding his treatment in India and found no legal impediments to his extradition, subsequently dismissing his earlier appeals.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The MEA is doing its job properly 👏 But we have to question why it takes so many years of legal battles in UK courts. The CBI and ED should have stronger evidence collection so these cases don't drag. Also, our banks need stricter oversight - how did one man get away with such massive fraud in the first place?
Great to see India's persistence in bringing back fugitives. The Bhandari judgment angle shows how these crooks try every legal loophole. But I'm cautiously optimistic - UK courts have already approved extradition and rejected appeals. Hopefully this time it's final. We need strong message to all economic offenders: India will get you back.
As someone living abroad, I'm glad to see India taking these cases seriously. But the legal process in UK is indeed thorough - they want to ensure human rights aren't violated during extradition. India has given assurances about his treatment. Let's hope the courts conclude quickly. Justice delayed is justice denied for the PNB shareholders and taxpayers.
Honestly, I don't understand why we can't just send a special aircraft and bring him back like some other countries do? 🤔 The UK legal system is slow - it's been years since he was arrested. Meanwhile, he's living comfortably in London. Our government should push for diplomatic solutions if courts take too long. But at least MEA is following it closely.
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