Big relief to Nirav Modi from UK High Court, permission to appeal against extradition to India

Diamond trader Nirav Modi, who was absconding after forfeiting thousands of crores of rupees with Punjab National Bank, has got a big relief from the High Court of London. The court has allowed an appeal against the decision of the Magistrate Court to extradite Nirav Modi to India. A magisterial court order had allowed extradition against Modi to be tried in Indian courts on charges of forgery and money laundering. After this, Modi’s legal team appealed in the High Court citing his mental health. In response, Justice Martin Chamberlain held that the arguments for “severe depression” and “high risk of suicide” are sound. He said that the question before him is whether Modi’s appeal can be heard or not and according to me, it can be heard. Therefore the appeal has been allowed. However, he has allowed the appeal only on the ground of mental health and dismissed all other arguments. The matter will now be heard in the High Court of London. Due to the rules related to Kovid-19, the court proceedings are happening virtually. The decision of the Magistrate Court was also approved by the country’s Home Minister Priti Patel and since then Modi was trying to avoid action.