Fugitive Diamantaire's Claim
Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, currently held in a United Kingdom prison, has indicated that 'sensational developments' are anticipated in his ongoing extradition case to India. Modi, 54, made the remarks on Friday, October 17, 2025, during a pre-trial review hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London for an unrelated civil case concerning an unpaid $8 million Bank of India debt.
Modi, who has been incarcerated in the UK since his arrest in March 2019, expressed optimism, stating he was 'extremely hopeful' of either being discharged or granted bail. This hope stems from a recent decision by UK judges to consider new evidence in his extradition matter, a move described as rare given the 'high bar' for such cases.
Extradition Battle and Charges
Nirav Modi is wanted in India in connection with the estimated $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case. He faces three distinct sets of criminal proceedings in India: a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case for the PNB fraud, an Enforcement Directorate (ED) case related to alleged money laundering, and a third set of proceedings concerning alleged interference with evidence and witnesses.
His extradition was initially ordered by then UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in April 2021, after a prima facie case was established against him. Modi had subsequently exhausted several legal avenues to contest this order, including losing a final appeal against extradition to the UK Supreme Court in December 2022 and having a human rights appeal dismissed by the UK High Court in May 2025. However, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed that Modi has since lodged an application to reopen his extradition appeal, with Indian authorities submitting their response ahead of a hearing expected towards the end of November 2025.
Prison Conditions and Legal Proceedings
During his appearance, Modi represented himself as a 'Litigant in Person,' reading from handwritten notes. He raised concerns about his prison conditions, citing issues such as poor eyesight and limited access to a computer, which he argued made the legal process 'unfair and imbalanced.'
High Court Judge Simon Tinkler, presiding over the separate Bank of India debt case, rejected Modi's application for a stay on those proceedings due to technical and medical constraints. The judge ruled that the trial for the debt case would proceed as scheduled in January 2026, noting that sufficient time had been allotted to accommodate Modi's medical needs, including arrangements for computer access.
Background of the PNB Scam
Nirav Modi fled India in January 2018, shortly before the massive banking scam came to light. He, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi, is accused of defrauding PNB by obtaining fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) without proper sanction or collateral. The scam led to significant payments by PNB to international banks after Modi's firms defaulted. He was declared a fugitive economic offender by a Mumbai court in 2020, which also ordered the confiscation of his assets.
5 Comments
KittyKat
Finally, some movement! India needs him back to face the music.
Eugene Alta
While it's important for Modi to face justice, the UK legal system does allow for thorough appeals. It's frustratingly slow, but a fundamental part of their process.
Katchuka
The UK courts must uphold the extradition order. No special treatment for economic offenders.
Donatello
The article shows the immense legal resources available to wealthy individuals, which can prolong justice significantly. While everyone deserves due process, the cost and time involved are substantial.
Raphael
His concerns about prison conditions highlight the complexities of human rights in extradition cases, even for alleged fraudsters. However, these are often used as delaying tactics.