Nirav Modi To Be Extradited To India Soon As UK Home Minister Approves Order

The approval to extradite Nirav Modi comes months after a UK's Westminster court in February order to extradite him n connection with Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan scam.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: In a much-awaited development, United Kingdom Home Minister has approved extradition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to India. The information was shared by the officials of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"The UK Home Minister has approved the extradition request of Nirav Modi," a CBI source related to the probe told news agency IANS.

The approval to extradite Nirav Modi comes months after a UK's Westminster court accepted the prima facie evidence against absconding businessman in connection with Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan scam and issued an order for his extradition.

The approval was given after findings of the Westminster court were sent to the UK Home Department as per which it cleared the extradition.

When asked about how long will it take to bring back the fugitive businessman to India, the CBI official said that if Nirav Modi files an appeal, then it may take some time.

Currently, Nirav Modi lodged in a prison in London since his arrest in March 2019.

"Many of these are a matter for trial in India. I am satisfied again that there is evidence that he could be convicted," the UK court said in February while ordering Nirav Modi's extradition. 

The CBI, which is primarily probing Nirav Modi's case in India, had then dubbed the UK court judgement as a "significant" achievement in its efforts to curb corruption. 

Apart from CBI, Nirav Modi is also facing a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a large-scale fraud upon PNB through fraudulently obtaining LoUs or loan agreements.

The ED has attached several assets of Nirav Modi in India running into crores of rupees in connection with the case.

The fugitive businessman allegedly perpetrated these frauds in collusion with his uncle Mehul Choksi, who is believed to be in Antigua, is also being probed.