UK Home Secretary nod to extradition of Nirav Modi to India

NEW DELHI: In a major boost to the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) probe into the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has approved the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, sources said on Friday.

"The UK Home Secretary has approved the extradition request of NiravModi," a CBI source related to the probe told IANS.

Asked how long will it take for the CBI will bring back the businessman, who has been lodged in a prison in London since his arrest in March 2019, the source said that if NiravModi files an appeal, then it may take some time. On February 25 this year, a UK court allowed extradition of NiravModi in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB scam case.

The District Judge at the Westminster Magistrates' Court, Samuel Goozee, accepted the prima facie evidence against NiravModi for money laundering, saying: "Many of these are a matter for trial in India. I am satisfied again that there is evidence that he could be convicted," according to reports.

The CBI had then dubbed the UK court judgement as a "significant" achievement in its efforts to curb corruption.

The CBI in a statement had said that the UK court ruling is "a reminder that fugitives, who have eluded the process of law after commission of large value frauds, cannot consider themselves above the process merely because they have changed jurisdictions". (IANS)

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