China says Hong Kong can take call on Nirav’s arrest
The chances of the arrest of jeweller Nirav Modi, who is embroiled in a ~130-billion LoU scam, in Hong Kong brightened on Monday after China said the special administrative region, which functioned under its effective control, could take a decision over the issue based on its laws and judicial assistance agreements.
The chances of the arrest of Nirav Modi in Hong Kong brightened on Monday after China said the special administrative region, which functioned under its effective control, could take a decision over the issue based on its laws and judicial assistance agreements. India has reportedly sought Modi's arrest under the ‘Surrender of Fugitive Offenders Agreement’ with Hong Kong.
Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh told parliament last week his ministry had sought the provisional arrest of Nirav Modi by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Asked about India’s request, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang told a media briefing that “according to the one country two systems and basic law of HKSAR, under the assistance and authorisation of the central government the HKSAR can make proper arrangement on judicial mutual assistance with other countries”. “If India make relevant request to the HKSAR, we believe HKSAR will follow the basic law and relevant laws and under relevant judicial agreements with India with the relevant issue,” he said. Now that China said Hong Kong could act based on judicial agreements, officials say the Surrender of Fugitive Offenders Agreement between Hong Kong and India could come into play.
While Hong Kong could act on India’s request, it is not yet clear whether Modi stayed put in the former British colony where he has a diamond store besides the one in Beijing. Modi, who is wanted in connection with the ~127-billion scam at the Punjab National Bank, is reportedly in Hong Kong.