Indian celebrity jeweler Nirav Modi has been granted permission by the High Court in London to appeal his extradition to India. Modi is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank, one of India’s largest state-backed lenders, of $1.8 billion. The new ruling allows him to appeal based on mental health grounds and his right not to face inhuman treatment.
Modi, who is known for catering to celebrity clients in Hollywood and Bollywood, attempted to avoid extradition earlier this year but was unsuccessful. He fled India in 2018 after being accused of playing a major role in the fraud and is also charged with witness intimidation and destruction of evidence.
The initial court decision in February determined that there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal case against Modi in India and referred the final decision to the UK government. In April, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel approved the extradition request.
The High Court judge, Martin Chamberlain, emphasized the need to evaluate whether the appellant’s mental health argument is reasonably arguable. According to Judge Chamberlain’s judgment, there should be a particular focus on assessing whether the initial judge erred in assessing the seriousness of Modi’s depression, the likelihood of suicide, and the adequacy of preventive measures.
Modi’s legal team had previously claimed that he would not receive fair treatment in India, but their arguments were dismissed by Judge Sam Goozee. Goozee also concluded that there was insufficient evidence from doctors to support the claim that Modi was at risk of suicide.
Modi has a 14-day window to initiate the appeal process. Before the fraud allegations emerged, Forbes magazine estimated his wealth at $1.73 billion, placing him 85th on India’s rich list. Since his arrest in March 2019, he has remained in custody in a London prison.
This decision to allow Modi to appeal his extradition follows a recent failed attempt by the US government to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from the UK. The judge in Assange’s case ruled that he would be at a significant risk of suicide if transferred to the US. The US government is challenging this ruling, and a preliminary hearing for the appeal is scheduled to occur at the High Court on Wednesday.
For more information on Nirav Modi’s case, you can visit the following links:
1. BBC: Nirav Modi Granted Permission to Appeal Extradition
2. Al Jazeera: Nirav Modi Allowed to Appeal Extradition
