Nirav Modi appeals extradition from UK, ED remains hopeful extradition will go through

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Apr 19, 2021

As jewellery tycoon Nirav Modi moves to appeal the UK court’s order to extradite him to India to stand trial, the Enforcement Directorate remains hopeful that the extradition will go ahead.

The ED remains optimistic that Modi’s appeals will be rejected due to the fact that all of his bail applications were rejected by UK courts, TNN reported. Modi made seven bail pleas over the past two years when he was held in police custody in Wandsworth Prison outside of London and they were all rejected as he was deemed a flight risk. 

On April 16, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel signed off on Modi’s extradition, a measure necessitated by the high profile nature of the case, TNN reported. Modi and his legal team are now moving to appeal the extradition ruling in higher UK courts. 

Modi and his team argue that the case, where Modi is accused of fraud at the Punjab National Bank, has been highly politicised to the extent that he will not receive a fair trial in India. They have also argued that prison conditions in India will be unfair, especially in regards to his mental health. 
 
Modi can appeal his extradition first at the UK high court and, if that is rejected, he can approach the home department to seek asylum in the country. Modi was arrested in London in March, 2019. His uncle and fellow accused Mehul Choksi remains a fugitive in the eyes of Indian authorities and is believed to be residing in Antigua where he has taken citizenship.