Nirav Modi officially files appeal against UK extradition order

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
May 3, 2021

Jewellery tycoon Nirav Modi has officially filed to appeal the UK court’s ruling to extradite him to India to stand trial for alleged fraud at the Punjab National Bank.

 
As expected by Indian authorities, Nirav Modi has made his first official appeal at the UK High Court against his court-ruled extradition order, ET Bureau reported. The appeal seeks permission to challenge the ruling. 
 
“On February 25, the District Judge gave judgment in the extradition case of Nirav Modi,” said the UK Home Office’s spokesperson, Asian News International reported. “The extradition order was signed on April 15.”

Due to the high-profile nature of the case, the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel had to sign off on the extradition ruling to confirm its validity. 
 
Modi has protested his innocence and argued that he will not receive a fair trial in India as his case has been politicised. However, the UK court ruled that there is a valid case against him in India and was satisfied with the conditions he would be kept in inside Arthur Road Jail should he be extradited. 
 
Modi, along with his uncle and fellow jeweller, Mehul Choksi, faces multiple charges by the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate including money laundering, witness intimidation, and destruction of evidence. Choksi is believed to be residing in Antigua where he took citizenship before news of the scandal broke in the press.