Nirav to appeal extradition

FUGITIVE diamond merchant Nirav Modi has filed an application in a London court, seeking permission to appeal against its decision to extradite him to India.

Modi, 51, lost an appeal on mental health grounds earlier in November, when a twojudge high court bench ruled his risk of suicide was not such it would be either unjust or oppressive to extradite the jeweller to India.

Modi faces charges of fraud and money laundering in case relating to an estimated $2 billion (£1.67bn) Punjab National Bank loan.

The fugitive businessman remains behind bars at Wandsworth Prison in London.

He had two weeks to file an application seeking an appeal on the grounds of a point of law of general public importance, which according to experts, is a high threshold that is not often met.

It is unknown if and when extradition may take place as Modi has legal challenges open to him, Home Office sources said.

Acting on behalf of the Indian authorities, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is now expected to respond to the latest application, following which a high court judge will give a ruling on paper – without a full hearing – and which may take till the new year.