The UK court will deliver a verdict on February 25 on the return of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi to India in the Punjab National Bank fraud case. London’s Westminster Magistrate Court has completed the hearing on 8 January in the extradition case on Modi. If he decides to return to India, he will have to stay in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail.
Fugitive diamond trader Nirav Modi, who is facing trial in the extradition case in Britain, will have to stay in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail if he returns to India. His decision to return to India will be decided by the Westminster Magistrate Court of Britain on 25 February. This London court completed the hearing on 8 January in this case.
Nirav’s lawyer argued for a bad jail
Lawyer Claire Montgomery, appearing for Modi at London’s Westminster Jail, presented the loopholes of the arrangements in Arthur Road Jail as an argument for his defense. He said that there are no such arrangements in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai which are compatible with Modi’s mental condition. This increases their risk of committing suicide.
Where is Nirav Modi now?
Currently Nirav Modi is in Wandsworth Jail in London. During the extradition case hearing, he appeared from the same jail through court video link. Modi has been in this jail in London since 19 March 2019, following the request of the Indian Directorate of Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI probing the PNB fraud case.
What Indian agencies said about Arthur Road Jail
Indian investigative agencies told a UK court that Arthur Road Jail is capable of handling Modi’s health conditions. There are three hospitals near the jail. If Modi is extradited to India, then prison number 12 in Arthur Road Jail is fully ready for him. Adequate natural lighting is available in prison number. It is windy. Meets all standards.
Famous people have lived in this prison before
Arthur Road Jail of Mumbai has been the home of high-profile people before. Former CEO of Star India, accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, Peter Mukherjee and Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal have been in the barrack number-12 of the jail.
What happened during the hearing
During the hearing in Westminster Magistrate Court, Nirav Modi appeared through video link. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the lobbying firm of Indian investigative agencies, told the court that Modi was involved in a scheme like ‘Ponzi’ and was responsible for money laundering, fraud and fraud.
The CPS said that Modi had forged three of his companies, Diamonds R., after forging with bank officials. Frauded banks through US, Solar Export and Stellar Diamonds. Not only this, Modi also threatened to kill a witness.
What is the matter
Actually, this whole case is of bank fraud done in connivance with Nirav Modi’s three companies, its officials, Punjab National Bank officials. Nirav Modi, along with the officials of the Barti House branch of PNB, committed this fraud through fake debentures of over Rs 11,000 crore.
Later, information about fraud with other banks also came to light. During the investigation of the case, the CBI has also accused Nirav along with his wife Amy Modi, brother Nishal Modi and Uncle Mehul Choksi. Apart from this, all companies and bank officials and employees of Modi are also under his scrutiny.
