Nirav Modi’s extradition trial to take place remotely from May 11

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 29, 2020

Jeweller Nirav Modi was remanded in UK custody until May 11 at his latest court hearing on Tuesday. The hearing decided that Modi’s extradition trial will take place partially remotely from May 11.

 
Nirav Modi, who stands accused of fraud at the Punjab National Bank, along with his Uncle and fellow jeweller Mehul Choksi, appeared via video link at his court hearing on Tuesday, the Press Trust of India reported. The hearing addressed how to handle Modi’s upcoming extradition trial where Indian authorities will attempt to extradite Modi to India to stand trial for his alleged fraud, criminal intimidation, and destruction of evidence. 
 
The hearing took place at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London via tele-conference and was led by district judge Samuel Goozee, who expressed reservations about holding the scheduled extradition trial from May 11 but decided to give it the go ahead. Legal representatives will be physically present in court for the five-day hearing, which will begin on May 11 and Modi will either observe the trial from the dock or via a video link. The Government of India’s representatives will take part in the trial through the court's online common viewing platform to accommodate travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Some prisons are producing prisoners in person, so I will direct Wandsworth Prison to produce Mr Modi in person for the trial from May 11,” said Goozee at the hearing, the Press Trust of India reported. “If that is not practicable, his participation by live link remains a backstop.”
 
Nirav Modi has been accused of fraud totalling over Rs 13,500 crore ($1.8 billion) in one of the largest fraud cases in Indian history. Modi was arrested in London, UK, on March 19, 2019 and has remained in Wandsworth Prison in south-west London since his arrest.