[ By Bobby Anthony ]Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is fighting extradition to India after being charged in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case, has been further remanded in custody by the Westminster Magistrates Court, in the United Kingdom.He has been asked to appear in court on January 30, 2020.Nirav Modi, who happens to be the nephew...
Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is fighting extradition to India after being charged in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case, has been further remanded in custody by the Westminster Magistrates Court, in the United Kingdom.
He has been asked to appear in court on January 30, 2020.
Nirav Modi, who happens to be the nephew of fugitive absconder Mehul Choksi, recently appeared for his regular 28-day “call-over” appearance from London's Wandsworth prison before the Westminster Magistrates' Court through a video link.
His extradition trial is scheduled for May 11, 2020 and expected to last for more than five days. He is likely to be extradited to India if he loses the case.
In November 2019, he had moved yet another bail application with an “unprecedented” house arrest guarantee, which is imposed on terrorist suspects, as well as cited mental health issues from being behind bars at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London since his arrest in March 19, 2019.
Nirav Modi has been behind bars at Wandsworthsince his arrest on March 19, 2019 on an extradition warrant executed by the Scotland Yard based on charges brought by the Indian government.
His bail plea was turned down by Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot over continued fears of witness intimidation and failure to surrender before the court, for his extradition trial in May 2020.
The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which represents the Indian government in the extradition proceedings, stated there is no further prospect of an appeal for bail in a higher court since the UK High Court has already turned down Nirav Modi's plea earlier.
The UK court has been told that Nirav Modi is the “principal beneficiary” of the fraudulent issuance of letters of undertaking (LoUs) as part of a conspiracy to defraud PNB as well as launder the proceeds of the crime.
As things stand, Nirav Modi must keep appearing for “call-over” hearings at the Westminster Magistrates' Court until the case management hearings for his extradition trial kick in by May 2020.