The authorities of the United Kingdom have confirmed about the presence of Indian businessman Nirav Modi in the country. Modi has been accused of fraud by a nationalized bank. An extradition request has been sent by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for Modi to the Union Home Ministry. The CBI has also requested the authorities of UK to detain Nirav Modi.
Senior CBI official on the condition of anonymity said, “The UK authorities confirmed Nirav Modi’s presence and the CBI has sent the extradition papers to the home ministry. The CBI, through Interpol, has also informed the UK authorities that Nirav Modi is to be detained, since a red corner notice exists against him”. Modi along with his uncle and promoter of Gitanjali Gems Ltd. Mehul Choksi has committed a fraud of Rs. 14,356 crores PNB fraud.
Nirav Modi has become the 29th fugitive that India has asked the UK to extradite since 2002. The government of the UK has in the past 16 years rejected India’s request for extradition in nine fugitives. The courts of UK have declined to issue arrest warrants in case of three more fugitives whom New Delhi wanted London to extradite. 15 other cases are pending which also includes the case of the business tycoon Vijay Mallya. In June, 2018 a red corner notice was issued against Nirav Modi. Nirav’s brother Neeshal Modi and their executive Subhash Parab had moved a Prevention of Money Laundering court in Mumbai and sought Modi’s extradition from the UK Belgium and other countries as his location was not confirmed.
India then sought Nirav’s extradition from the UK as a formal request was sent to the UK government through the Indian High Commission in London. Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson with the external affairs ministry said, “The request from the Enforcement Directorate for extradition of Nirav Modi was forwarded to the UK Central Authority on August 03, 2018. This was based on the two red corner notices which were issued by the ED.” The extradition request for Mehul Choksi was formally handed over by India to the authorities in Barbuda and Antigua on August 6, 2018.
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