Nirav Modi’s extradition to India cleared by UK govt

New Delhi, Apr 16: Scam-accused billionaire Nirav Modi’s extradition to India has been cleared by the British government. UK Home Secretary Priti Patel today signed the extradition order.
Nirav Modi, 50, is a step closer to extradition but still has the option of legally challenging it within 28 days before the UK High Court. The process may take months or even years, as seen in the case of liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who went to court against his extradition order signed back in February 2019. Earlier, the UK Westminster court had allowed the extradition plea and sent the case to the Home Secy.
The jeweller is wanted by Indian courts for fraud and money laundering in the Rs 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan scam.
While clearing his extradition to India, a UK judge in February dismissed arguments like his mental health worsening during the pandemic and poor Indian prison conditions.

“I do not accept that Nirav Modi was involved in legitimate business. I find no genuine transactions and believe there is a process of dishonesty,” the judge said.
“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.”
Nirav Modi, once the celebrity jeweler to movie stars in India and abroad, was arrested in 2019 from a metro station in London on an extradition warrant. He was repeatedly denied bail as he was seen as a flight risk.