Fugitive jeweller and businessman Nirav Modi, who is wanted for Rs. 14000 crore Punjab National Bank loan scam, can be extradited to India, a UK court said today.
District judge Samuel Goozee said that she is satisfied that Nirav Modi’s extradition to India is ‘in compliance per human rights.’ The court said that there is ‘no evidence’ that Modi would not get justice if he was extradited.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Ministry OF External Affairs’ spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that since the UK court has recommended his extradition, the Government Of India would liaise with UK authorities for his early extradition.
The 49-year-old appeared before the court via videolink from Wandsworth Prison in South-West London . The judge said, “I do not accept that Nirav Modi was involved in legitimate business. I find no genuine transactions and believe there is a process of dishonesty.”
“There is prima facile case on money laundering against Nirav Modi. There in inevitable conclusion that there is clear link between Nirav Modi, Nihal Modi, Mihir Bhandari, Shetty and Joshi. They have been operating dishonestly to defraud PNB,” said the judge.
In a huge setback to Nirav Modi, the judge also dismissed his contention that he won’t get justice in India. The order will now be sent to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel for a sign off.
