London: A UK court on Tuesday began hearing on the extradition of Nirav Modi, wanted in India on charges of money laundering and fraud to the tune of nearly $2 billion in the Punjab National Bank loan scam. Diamond trader Nirav Modi had filed an appeal against his extradition order last year on grounds of mental health. Judge Jeremy Stuart Smith and Justice Robert Jay held a preliminary hearing in the high court in December last year. It considered whether the Westminster Magistrates’ Court’s February 2021 ruling by District Judge Sam Goozie in favor of extradition was wrong.
This week’s hearing is being held as the next part of the hearing on the appeal, which is likely to be decided soon. If Nirav Modi’s appeal is accepted in the High Court, he cannot be extradited unless the Government of India is successful in getting permission to appeal to the Supreme Court on a point of law of public importance.
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According to officials close to the case, the Indian government has given assurances about the circumstances in which Nirav will be detained if he surrenders in India and the facilities to look after his “physical and mental health”. Now both sides will make arguments about whether these assurances are sufficient and can be accepted.
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During the hearing of the December appeal, Edward Fitzgerald QC, appearing for Nirav, argued, “He is already suspected of attempting suicide and his condition may worsen in Mumbai.” Meanwhile, Nirav Modi remained behind bars at Wandsworth court in south-west London. He was arrested in March 2019, since then he is in jail.