Nirav Modi faces another setback

LONDON: Fugitive diamond merchant, NiravModi, faced another setback as a UK judge on ruled in the government of Indiasfavour by allowing the admissibility of its evidence against Modi. The development improves chances of Modi's extradition to India.

Tuesday's hearing was an additional hearing scheduled to rule on the admissibility of evidence presented before the Westminster Magistrates Court. Modi was remanded in custody till December 1. Both sides will make their closing submissions on January 7 and 8 and the judgement is expected a few weeks after that in 2021.

Modi's lawyer, Clare Montgomery QC, countered India's arguments at the hearing by comparing the case with ex Indian Navy officer but now an arms dealer, Ravi Shankaran, who is in the UK and is yet to be extradited.

Arguing the overturning of Shankaran's extradition based on government of India's evidence not meeting the UK extradition criteria, Montgomery told the court that statements under section 161 of Code of Criminal Procedure in India (statements of witnesses recorded and signed by the police) were not admissible in extradition cases.

Despite Montgomery's strong opposition, district judge Samuel Mark Goozee decided to rule according to the judgement in case of Vijay Mallya, which said that statements under section 161 were valid in the court of law.

Referring to a report by the Law Commission of India, which claimed they "should never have any evidential value", Montgomery said, ''The concern in India is these statements are not being taken from witnesses, and are rather the product of corrupt or incompetent conduct by police." (IANS)

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