‘Nirav Modi Should Be In Prison’: Extradition Delay Strains UK-India Ties, Says Ex-UK Home Secy Priti Patel
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has criticised Britain's handling of the Nirav Modi extradition case, saying the prolonged delay has damaged trust with India and complicated cooperation between the two countries.
Patel, who signed the fugitive diamond trader's extradition order in April 2021 after UK courts established a prima facie case against him, said she was disappointed that Modi continues to remain in the United Kingdom despite exhausting his legal remedies.
Speaking on The Daily Telegraph's upcoming The Diamond King podcast, Patel said the Indian government had become increasingly frustrated over Britain's inability to extradite Modi, who is wanted in connection with the alleged USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case.
'Delay Damaged India's Confidence in UK Cooperation'
According to Patel, if Britain's extradition system had functioned more efficiently, Nirav Modi would already have been returned to India to face justice.
She argued that the prolonged legal process had become a misuse of the UK's extradition framework and had also imposed unnecessary costs on British taxpayers.
She further suggested that the delay had weakened India's confidence in working closely with the UK, adding that the issue had become a significant obstacle in bilateral cooperation.
Case Became Diplomatic Challenge
Patel revealed that during her tenure as Home Secretary between 2019 and 2022, the extradition case also affected negotiations with India on other issues.
She said India had shown reluctance in accepting failed asylum seekers from the UK while high-profile extradition matters, including Nirav Modi's case, remained unresolved.
According to Patel, the pending cases gave India leverage during discussions, making negotiations more difficult for the British government.
Nirav Modi Faces Three Criminal Cases in India
The 55-year-old fugitive businessman is currently lodged in London's Pentonville Prison and is wanted in India in three criminal cases. These include:
- The CBI's investigation into the Punjab National Bank fraud.
- The Enforcement Directorate's money laundering case.
- A separate case related to alleged destruction of evidence and influencing witnesses.
