Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, aged 54, has been incarcerated in the UK since March 2019. He has informed a court in the United Kingdom about “sensational developments” regarding his protracted extradition case to India, which is scheduled to resume in London next month.
Modi is sought in India for his involvement in the $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and alleged money laundering activities. He made these remarks during a civil hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, which pertains to an outstanding debt owed to the Bank of India that exceeds $8 million.
Acting as a Litigant in Person, Modi presented his case using handwritten notes, citing limited access to computers and vision issues that he claimed rendered the proceedings “unfair and imbalanced.” At one moment, he appeared noticeably frustrated, stating, “Spend one day in prison there needs to be some basic common sense.”
The Bank of India, represented by barristers Tom Beasley and Milan Kapadia, is seeking to enforce Modi’s personal guarantee related to a loan granted to Firestar Diamond FZE, based in Dubai. They opposed his motion to suspend the proceedings, contending that it would unjustly prolong the longstanding claim. Justice Tinkler dismissed the request, ruling that the trial, set for January 2026, will continue as planned. The judge assured that adequate provisions had been established to meet Modi’s medical requirements, including access to a computer.
Extradition appeal anticipated in November
Modi expressed optimism about being released or granted bail, following a decision by a UK court to review new evidence in his extradition appeal, a rare occurrence given the “high bar” set in such matters. The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that Modi has submitted a request to reopen the appeal, with India having provided its response. The hearing is anticipated to take place towards the end of November.
Modi has been consistently denied bail on the grounds of being deemed a flight risk, with the latest denial occurring in May of this year. He is currently facing three criminal cases in India related to the PNB fraud, accusations of money laundering, and witness tampering. In 2021, the then UK Home Secretary Priti Patel sanctioned his extradition following the establishment of a prima facie case by the courts. The forthcoming hearing may represent a crucial turning point in one of India’s most prominent financial scandals.
