The extradition process of economic offender Nirav Modi, who sought refuge in London for nearly a year after leaving India in the wake of allegations of major financial fraud, concerning PNB, is likely to begin in British courts after Home Secretary Sajid Javid certified on India’s request, on Thursday, as sources said.
Also, Raveesh Kumar, MEA on Saturday, in a press briefing said that Nirav Modi’s extradition is in UK Government’s consideration.
Raveesh Kumar,MEA: All necessary steps are being taken for the extradition of Nirav Modi. We have been aware of his presence in UK. It(extradition request) is under their(UK Govt) consideration pic.twitter.com/Jvc4H3WEzc
— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019
The Daily Telegraph on Saturday released a video showing Nirav Modi on the streets of London, where he has had a diamond store since 2014.
To the continuous queries from the daily’s reporters, Modi responded with ‘no comments’.
Modi has reportedly started a new diamond business and has been living in a high-end Central London apartment.
If the court is satisfied with the information and considers it enough then an arrest warrant will be issued.
The court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the conduct described in the request is an extradition offence.
The Daily in its report said,”Modi appears to have adopted a surprisingly nonchalant attitude to his fugitive status, walking his small dog each day between his apartment and the diamond company’s office in a townhouse in Soho, just a few hundred yards from his Centre Point home”.
It also described Nirav Modi as “billionaire diamond tycoon who is India’s most wanted”.
The report quoted unnamed government sources and said that Nirav Modi is bestowed with a national insurance number, which is required to work legally in the UK.
Nirav Modi, is wanted in India in connection with a financial fraud involving the Punjab National Bank worth thousands of crores.
His uncle, Mehul Choksi is also wanted in the case. They continue to figure in Interpol’s wanted list on its website.