UK Government Approves Nirav Modi's Extradition to India
Multi-billionaire Nirav Modi's extradition to India has been approved by the U.K Home Secretary. The extradition order was today signed by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel.
The 50-year-old Nirav Modi still has an option to challenge the extradition order with the next 28 days before the U.K High Court, similar to liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who rushed to the high court after his extradition order was signed back in February 2019. This is a lengthy process that may take up to months or even years.
Earlier today, the Westminster Court allowed the extradition plea and sent the case to the Home Secretary for its approval, which was then eventually approved.
The diamond merchant is one of the most wanted fugitives in India for the money laundering of Rs.14000 crores (2 billion USD) in the Punjab National Bank scam case.
Once he is extradited to India before the courts, he will face several charges like money laundering, fraud, alleged intimidation of witnesses, and disappearance of evidence.
In case Nirav Modi is indeed extradited back to India, he will be imprisoned in the Arthur Road Jail, barrack number 12 in Mumbai.
Nirav Modi in the London Court claimed that he has a family history of depression and suicidal thoughts and that his mental condition has severely deteriorated during the time of the pandemic. But the U.K Judge in February dismissed his arguments like the worsening conditions of his mental health.
"I do not accept that Nirav Modi was involved in a 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," he added.
Nirav Modi also complained about the poor living conditions of the Arthur Road prison in Mumbai, where he is to be jailed but the judge went on to consider the video sent by the Indian government met the human rights criterion of natural light and ventilation.
"Modi fears prosecution in India. Although he has expressed suicidal thoughts, the government of India has reassured safe conditions in prison, through a video in August. The video shows better sanitation and hygiene than the video in 2019," said the judge.
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