MEA Says Centre Has Put ‘All Resources On Ground’ To Ensure Early Extradition Of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi

Mumbai: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that the Indian government has put all “resources on the ground” to ensure the early extradition of fugitive economic offenders Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in his weekly briefing, “The Nirav Modi case is being heard in London’s Westminster Magistrate Court. We are putting all resources on the ground to ensure Nirav Modi’s early extradition.”

Nirav Modi, who is facing extradition to India in the Rs 13,700 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case, will appear in a UK court today via video link.

He was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act on December 5, 2019. The order to seize their properties is yet to be issued.

“We have to see what happens in the hearing of the video link,” Kumar told reporters.

“We have also requested the Government of Antigua and Barbuda if they can expedite the legal proceedings so that Mehul Choksi’s extradition process to India can begin,” the spokesman said.

Modi is currently lodged in Wandsworth Jail in south-west London and is wanted along with his uncle Mehul Choksi for his alleged role in the Rs 13,570 crore loss to the bank.

Modi, 48, was arrested by Scotland Yard in March this year in connection with the case.

He did not return to India despite repeated summons from Indian investigating agencies and courts. India is seeking his extradition to face the law of the land for economic offences.

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