Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi has asked the London High Court to reopen his extradition case, arguing he faces a “real risk of torture” if returned to India, Indian media reported. Modi, who was ordered extradited by UK authorities in April 2021, faces charges in India of fraud and money laundering linked to an alleged $2 billion scam involving the government-owned Punjab National Bank.
At the most recent hearing, Modi attended virtually while three officers from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation were present in court. His barrister relied on a precedent in which a defence-sector consultant’s extradition was refused on human-rights grounds after the consultant argued Indian investigators posed a risk of torture. Modi has previously filed multiple unsuccessful bail and appeal applications in the UK.
The Crown Prosecution Service, representing the Indian government, countered that assurances already provided addressed such concerns and stressed the high-profile nature of Modi’s case, implying the assurances should be binding. Reporters cited the presiding judge as saying the case was of “extreme importance” to both Modi and the Indian officials in attendance and that a judgment would be delivered as soon as possible.
Modi rose to prominence as a luxury jeweller with international stores and high-profile clientele before his 2018 flight from India when the PNB irregularities came to light. The scandal began with the retirement of a bank official, triggering scrutiny that revealed large unsecured loans and alleged fraudulent transactions. Interpol later sought Modi’s arrest, and he was detained in the UK before the extradition process began.
If extradited to India, Modi would face trial on charges related to alleged fraudulent loans and money laundering. His legal team’s current argument focuses on human-rights protections and the claimed risk of ill-treatment by investigating authorities in India. The UK court must now weigh those claims against previous assurances and legal precedent before issuing a final decision.
