By: RadhakrishnaNS
The UK’s home secretary Priti Patel has cleared the extradition of celebrity jeweller Nirav Modi to India.
Modi is accused of multi million dollar bank fraud in India.
Modi is being investigated by India’s federal probe agencies for money laundering, said to be in the region of $2 billion and involving loans from country’s Punjab National Bank (PNB).
On February 25, Westminister Magistrates’ Court said, “there was prima facie evidence against Modi, and that there was no evidence that the jeweller would not get justice if he was extradited, paving way for his extradition.”
The court said it was satisfied there was enough evidence against Modi for his conviction.
“I do not accept that Nirav Modi was involved in legitimate business. I find no genuine transactions and believe there is a process of dishonesty,” said Westminster Magistrates’ Court judge Samuel Goozee. The judge said there were links between Modi and conspirators, including PNB officials.
The judge also dismissed Modi’s argument that he would not get justice in India due to media scrutiny and political pressure. The judge said there was no reason to believe that politicians in India were trying to influence the trial.
