Court allows jeweller Modi’s extradition to India

FUGITIVE Indian jeweller Nirav Modi (right) last Thursday (25) lost his bid to avoid extradition from Britain to face claims of involvement in a massive bank fraud.

District Judge Sam Goozee told Nirav Modi at a court hearing in central London there was enough evidence to suggest there was a criminal case against him in his homeland.

Modi fled India in February 2018 after being accused of having a central role in a $1.8-billion (£1.29bn) fraud involving Punjab National Bank (PNB). Modi has denied any wrongdoing.

Before the alleged fraud, which rocked corporate India, Forbes magazine estimated his wealth at $1.73 billion, placing him 85th on India’s rich list. Modi, who owned luxury jewellery stores across the world with celebrity customers, including Hollywood and Bollywood stars, was arrested in London in March 2019.

The 49-year-old is accused of defrauding the bank – which is one of India’s biggest public lenders – and laundering the proceeds, as well as witness intimidation and destroying evidence.

Judge Goozee dismissed submissions from his legal team that he would not be treated fairly in India and said there was not enough evidence from doctors to believe he was a suicide risk.

“I am satisfied that there is evidence upon which (Modi) could be convicted in relation to the conspiracy to defraud the (Punjab National Bank). A prima face case is established,” he said in the judgment.

That does not mean the judge said Modi would be convicted, but rather that there was evidence he should answer at trial. Goozee also said there was a prima facie case on the issue of alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, including on an alleged death threat against a witness.

The judge also considered evidence about prison conditions in India. The Indian government told the court Modi would be held at Barrack No 12 at the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai, and provided precise details about the conditions there, including a video.

The case now goes to home secretary Priti Patel, who will make the final decision on whether Modi is extradited. Modi attended the hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court via videolink from prison.

The Home Secretary has two months to make a decision. Following this, Modi has 14 days to appeal.