UK High Court Allows Nirav Modi To Appeal Against Extradition To India On Mental Health Grounds

The UK High Court has allowed Nirav Modi to appeal against extradition to India on mental health grounds.

File Photo

New Delhi: The United Kingdom High Court on Monday granted relief to India's fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi and allowed him to appeal for extradition to India on the basis of mental health and human rights.

Earlier, the magistrate's court had allowed Nirav Modi, who was facing charges of forgery and money laundering, to be extradited to India.

Justice Martin Chamberlain gave his verdict remotely under Covid-19 rules, concluding that the arguments submitted by the 50-year-old diamond merchant's legal team about his serious depression and high risk of suicide were sufficiently debatable in the hearing.

He also said that the adequacy of measures capable of preventing suicide attempts at Arthur Road jail in Mumbai, where Nirav Modi is to be detained on extradition, also falls within the arguable ambit. Justice Chamberlain gave his verdict and said, "At this time, the question for me is whether the appellant's case on these Grounds is logically debatable. In my judgment, it is. I will allow appeal on Grounds 3 and 4."

UK High Court approves fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi’s permission to appeal against extradition to India, on mental health grounds.

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— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2021

It may be recalled that in the extradition case of Nirav Modi last month, his lawyers told the High Court in London that the 'widespread' impact of Covid-19 in Mumbai's Arthur Road jail would increase his risk of suicide. Nirav is likely to be lodged in the same jail after being extradited to India. Justice Martin Chamberlain then reserved his verdict on the plea against extradition while hearing the case.