London
CNN
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A London court on Wednesday rejected the Indian billionaire’s appeal Nirav Modi against being extradited from the UK to India to face fraud and money laundering charges.
British police arrested the diamond dealer in 2019 in London for allegedly taking part in a $2 billion bank scam.
Modi’s lawyers last year opposed a court order allowing the British government to extradite the fugitive businessman, citing his mental health and suicide risk.
London’s High Court rejected Wednesday’s appeal, saying Modi’s suicide risk did not rule out his extradition.
Justice Jeremy Stuart-Smith, one of the two judges, said they were “far from satisfied that Mr. Modi’s mental state and the risk of suicide to the point of his extradition were unjust or oppressive”, according to the statement. court ruling. .
“On the basis of the assurances that (the government of India) has made, we accept that there will be adequate medical supply and an appropriate plan for the management and medical care of Mr. . is a suicide risk,” the judges said.
Modi’s fraud allegations first came to light in 2018 when Punjab National Bank, one of India’s largest banks, reported fraudulent activity at one of its branches.
India then issued an Interpol Red Notice of Modi’s arrest and the London authorities were ordered to enforce it. At the time, India’s foreign ministry said it welcomed the arrest and would seek the extradition of Modi as soon as possible.
Modi and officials at the bank are accused of issuing Fraudulent Commitment Letters to overseas banks to obtain credit from buyers, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Forbes once ranked Modi as India’s 85th richest person, with a net worth of $1.8 billion.
CNN has reached out to his attorney following Wednesday’s court decision but has yet to receive a response.
Modi, who is still at Wandsworth prison in London, could challenge Wednesday’s ruling at the UK’s Supreme Court.
