World / Nirav Modi Extradition Nirav Modi Loses Last Appeal In UK Against Extradition, Will Return To India Now

Nirav Modi Extradition: India's fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi's last appeal against extradition to Britain has been rejected on Thursday (December 15). With this, the way has been cleared to bring Nirav Modi to India. Nirav Modi fled India in 2018 after his alleged involvement in a massive fraud in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) came to light.

Nirav Modi, wanted to face trial in India on charges of fraud and money laundering, has been refused permission by the High Court of London to appeal against his extradition order to the UK Supreme Court. The accused has argued that there is a risk of suicide if he is extradited. However, Nirav Modi's appeal was rejected in the High Court.

The High Court gave this decision

In a judgment pronounced at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Lord Justice Jeremy Stuart-Smith and Justice Robert J said that the appellant's (Nirav Modi) application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court has been refused. Nirav Modi is currently behind bars in London's Wandsworth Jail. With the dismissal of this appeal, now the accused has no legal option left in the UK against extradition.

Ran away from India after the bank scam was exposed

Last month, Nirav Modi filed an application before the UK High Court for permission to appeal against his extradition to India in the UK Supreme Court. The application came after the 51-year-old diamond merchant's appeal against extradition on grounds of mental health was rejected. The court rejected the argument of the risk of suicide of the accused. Nirav Modi fled India when the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam was exposed.

extradition attempt

Nirav Modi is the main accused in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB scam. Indian authorities have been trying to extradite Nirav Modi from Britain for a long time to face charges of fraud, money laundering, destruction of evidence and intimidation of witnesses. The CBI is probing PNB for fraud through large scale Undertakings (LoUs) or loan agreements, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is probing the laundering of proceeds of that fraud.