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‘Appalled and horrified’: Priti Patel questions why Nirav Modi is still in UK despite extradition order
The former UK Home Secretary said India has every reason to be frustrated as fugitive businessman Nirav Modi continues to remain in a London prison years after his extradition was approved.
Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has expressed strong concern over the continued presence of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi in the United Kingdom, saying she is “appalled and horrified” that he has still not been extradited to India despite exhausting multiple legal challenges.
Patel, who currently serves as the Shadow Foreign Secretary for the Conservative Party, made the remarks during an interview for The Daily Telegraph’s upcoming podcast series, The Diamond King. The four-part series revisits the high-profile case that led to Nirav Modi’s arrest in London in March 2019.
‘He should not be in this country’
Reflecting on the prolonged extradition process, Priti Patel said the UK’s legal system had become entangled in lengthy procedures that delayed justice.”If our system were judicious and doing the right thing, rather than tying itself up in process and excuses, he should not be in this country.”
She added that she believes the continued delay sends the wrong message to India.”I’m actually pretty appalled and horrified that he’s still here, and I suspect that really makes the India government feel quite demoralised about even working with us.”
Patel was the Home Secretary who signed Nirav Modi’s extradition order in April 2021, after British courts concluded there was a prima facie case for him to face trial in India.
Extradition delays continue despite legal setbacks
The 55-year-old diamond businessman remains lodged at Pentonville Prison in London in connection with the alleged USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and related money laundering investigations.
According to reports, Nirav Modi has exhausted his legal remedies in the UK and has also failed in a final appeal before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). His extradition is widely expected, although an official transfer has yet to take place.
The delays have been attributed to multiple appeals before the High Court of England and Wales, including challenges based on human rights grounds and a separate confidential asylum claim.
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Earlier this year, the High Court also rejected his attempt to reopen the extradition proceedings after his reported asylum application was denied.
Case affected UK-India relations, says Patel
Patel also revealed that the case created diplomatic challenges during her tenure in the Conservative government between 2019 and 2022.
According to her, Indian authorities were reluctant to cooperate on certain immigration matters while the extradition case remained unresolved.”I had a hell of a challenge getting them to sign off on receiving failed asylum seekers, and I’m convinced it’s because we had this high-profile case and another high-profile case at the time.”
She suggested that the absence of visible progress on extradition provided India with leverage during bilateral discussions.
Nirav Modi faces multiple criminal cases in India
Indian investigative agencies have been pursuing Nirav Modi for several years.
He is wanted in connection with three separate criminal proceedings, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Punjab National Bank fraud, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into alleged money laundering, and another case related to alleged interference with evidence and witnesses during the investigation.
Reiterating her position, Priti Patel said the businessman should stand trial in India under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries.”Modi should be in prison in India and serving his time there, having gone through a legal process, which is exactly what UK extradition laws and treaties are about.”
She also described the prolonged legal delays as “a flagrant abuse” of the UK’s judicial process and said they undermine public confidence in the system.
The case remains one of the most closely watched extradition proceedings involving India and the United Kingdom, with both governments awaiting its final resolution.
