Nirav Modi’s extradition would severely affect his psychological well being, his legal professionals stated. (File)
Disgraced diamond tycoon Nirav Modi’s extradition to India would severely affect his psychological well being and be a “flagrant denial of justice,” his legal professionals stated at a London court docket listening to.
Nirav Modi is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of $2 billion over seven years.
The one-time billionaire utilized to the U.Okay. High Court to attraction his extradition on the idea he would not obtain a good trial in India.
Nirav Modi’s drawn out extradition is probably the most high-profile since Vijay Mallya, the flamboyant businessman, who misplaced his attraction towards his switch to India. Should India efficiently get Nirav Modi to face the costs it will be seen as a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi whose dealing with of the coronavirus pandemic has hit his recognition.
Nirav Modi is severely depressed and requests the extradition be blocked on psychological well being grounds, his lawyer, Edward Fitzgerald, stated in paperwork ready for Wednesday’s listening to. Being despatched to India would solely worsen Nirav Modi’s suicidal emotions and would land him in a “Covid-rich prison” in Mumbai the place acceptable well being care is restricted, he stated.
“We just don’t know what kind of regime he will have,” within the Indian jail, Fitzgerald stated. It can be “oppressive” to extradite the businessman.
Nirav Modi was as soon as a jeweler to the celebs — Kate Winslet wore a Nirav Modi bracelet and earrings to the Oscars — and operated boutiques world wide.
But since his arrest in March 2019, the 50-year-old has been repeatedly denied bail after judges feared he was a flight threat.
U.Okay. authorities legal professionals stated in court docket paperwork there have been no causes to permit Nirav Modi to attraction the sooner resolution and requested the decide to toss the appliance.
Earlier this yr, a London decide dismissed Nirav Modi’s argument that he would face an unfair trial if he had been extradited to India. Even if his present attraction try fails, Nirav Modi nonetheless has authorized choices to stay within the U.Okay.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
