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Posted: May 11, 2020 10:32:19 AM
The 49-year-old man has been housed in Wandsworth Prison in southwest London since his arrest last year. (File photo)
The extradition trial of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud of Rs 13.6 billion will begin on Monday in a partially remote setting due to the coronavirus blockade.
The five-day hearing relates to the Indian government’s extradition request certified by the UK government last year.
The 49-year-old man has been housed in Wandsworth Prison in southwest London since his arrest last year. It is expected to be physically produced this time at London’s Westminster Magistrates Court. However, following the rules for social distancing in the country, District Judge Samuel Goozee said an alternative way to start his trial will be followed if he cannot appear in person. He acknowledged that a limited number of legal representatives will be physically present in court for the trial, while witnesses give their evidence through a video link.
Hearing his case on April 28, Judge Goozee said: “Some prisons are producing prisoners in person, so I will order Wandsworth Prison to produce Modi in person for trial starting May 11. If that is not possible, your live link participation remains capped. “
After approving the extradition, the court will send the order to the UK Home Office for confirmation by UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid. However, Modi can challenge the court order with the permission of the High Court of the United Kingdom within 14 days of the order being issued. In the event that an appeal is not filed, Modi would have to be extradited within 28 days.
The case in which Modi is being tried refers to an alleged deviation of Rs 13,500 crore from the coffers of the National Bank of Punjab through the fraudulent issuance of letters of commitment and letters of credit, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi. CBI and ED investigations have found that Modi diverted a large portion of these funds to family members and for personal purposes.
Meanwhile, ED has already attached properties worth Rs 1873 crore belonging to Modi, while assets worth Rs 489.75 crore have been seized. Attachments include assets worth Rs 961.49 crore located in Hong Kong, Switzerland, UK, USA, Singapore and UAE.
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