In a major blow to fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, a UK court on Thursday ordered his extradition to India after a nearly two-year-long legal battle. The court accepted the Indian case that Nirav Modi threatened witnesses and tampered with evidence.
The prima facie evidence against Nirav Modi for money laundering was also accepted by District Judge Samuel Goozee at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court. “Many of these are a matter for trial in India. I am satisfied again that there is evidence he could be convicted,” the court said.
The court said that medical arrangements in India for Nirav Modi is acceptable and there is no reason to raise any doubt on this matter.
Nirav Modi was arrested in London on March 20, 2019 on multiple charges including defrauding the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of more than USD 2 billion.
Judge Goozee on Thursday decided if there is a ‘prima facie’ case that Nirav Modi not only defrauded state-owned PNB but also laundered the proceeds of that fraud and subsequently attempt to destroy evidence and threatened witnesses.
It is to be noted that during the penultimate day of the hearing, Nirav Modi’s lawyers had told before the London Court that he is unfit to face solitary confinement.
Source: dnaindia.com