Fugitive businessman Nirav Modi has filed an application in the Westminster Court challenging his extradition to India. Diamantaire Nirav Modi, who faces charges related to the ₹6,498 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud,

The UK High Court has cleared Nirav Modi’s extradition to India, rejecting his final appeal. The decision, issued on November 9, 2022, upheld a previous ruling by Westminster Magistrates’ Court and dismissed Modi’s request to escalate the case to the UK Supreme Court.

Sources speaking to News18 said the fresh application was submitted last month.

They also said that officials and the legal team are preparing to respond to the petition in London.

The fresh move comes after a recent visit by the UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to Tihar Jail for inspection.

Earlier in May, the UK High Court rejected a bail plea of Nirav Modi, accused in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud which he orchestrated with his uncle Mehul Choksi. Nirav is accused of siphoning off Rs 6498.20 crore of the total scam amount.

There are three separate criminal proceedings against Nirav in India. First, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case of fraud on PNB, second, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case relating to the alleged laundering of the proceeds of that fraud and the third case pertains to criminal proceedings involving alleged interference with evidence and witnesses in the CBI proceedings.

Nirav, who remains in Wandworth prison, was arrested on an extradition warrant on March 2019 and former UK home secretary Priti Patel ordered his extradition in April 2021.

Nirav’s legal team has aruged at court proceedings for bail citing health and humanitarian grounds and said that there are risks of physical and mental deterioration in prison, but the courts maintained that these concerns did not outweigh the possibility that Nirav Modi remains a flight risk.

Source: News18