Nirav Modi Extradition: Status, Legal Battle, and What Lies Ahead in the ₹14,000 Crore PNB Scam
Key Highlights:
LONDON, April 2025 — While India celebrated a breakthrough with Mehul Choksi’s arrest in Belgium, the extradition of his nephew Nirav Modi — the other key accused in the ₹14,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case — remains tied up in an intense legal battle in the United Kingdom.
Nirav has been in custody at Wandsworth Prison in London since his arrest in March 2019. His extradition was ordered by a UK magistrate court in February 2021, but has since been delayed due to appeals over mental health concerns and alleged risk of unfair trial in India.
PNB Scam: The Background
The multi-crore scam emerged in early 2018, when the CBI and ED discovered that Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, and their companies had colluded with bank officials to fraudulently obtain Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) without following due procedures, causing massive losses to Punjab National Bank.
Nirav Modi fled India just days before the scam was uncovered.
Current Legal Status in the UK
- Nirav Modi remains in judicial custody at Wandsworth Prison.
- He has appealed the extradition citing:
- Mental health concerns, including risk of suicide
- Unsafe prison conditions in India
- Alleged political vendetta
- The case is currently being reviewed by the UK High Court, which has paused extradition pending a full assessment.
- India has provided detailed assurances on prison conditions and a fair trial process.
What Happens Next in Nirav Modi’s Extradition Case?
The final verdict on Nirav Modi’s extradition is expected later in 2025, depending on:
- Outcome of the mental health appeal
- UK court’s evaluation of India’s legal assurances
- Potential intervention by the UK Home Secretary after the final verdict
If the appeal is rejected, Nirav Modi may be extradited to India within a few months, making him the second major economic offender to be brought back after Vijay Mallya and potentially Mehul Choksi.
India’s Diplomatic Push and Legal Strategy
India has been working tirelessly through diplomatic and legal channels, with coordinated efforts by:
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Crown Prosecution Service (UK)
These bodies have collectively countered Nirav Modi’s arguments on prison and trial fairness.
Will Nirav Modi Face Justice in India?
As the UK courts deliberate over Nirav Modi’s mental health and legal safety, the Indian government remains confident of eventual extradition. While delays persist, pressure continues to mount in public and diplomatic circles.
The PNB scam, one of India’s largest banking frauds, has become a litmus test for India’s ability to bring back economic fugitives. With Mehul Choksi now in custody, all eyes are on Nirav Modi’s fate in UK courts.
Stay tuned for the final verdict, which could rewrite the narrative of international economic accountability.
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