UK High Court rejects fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi’s bail plea
London, May 16: The UK High Court has once again rejected the bail plea of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, citing a high risk of absconding and the seriousness of the charges against him. The decision is a major setback for Modi, who is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.
Nirav Modi, currently lodged in Wandsworth Prison in south-west London, had filed a fresh appeal for bail citing deteriorating mental health and the delay in extradition proceedings. However, the court dismissed these arguments, stating that Modi has the financial means and motive to flee if granted bail.
Justice Jeremy Stuart-Smith, presiding over the case, upheld the Westminster Magistrates’ Court’s earlier decision, agreeing that Modi poses a significant flight risk. He also emphasized that the legal process must continue without interference or delays.
Modi has been fighting extradition to India since his arrest in London in March 2019. Indian authorities have accused him of orchestrating a massive fraud involving fraudulent Letters of Undertaking from PNB to secure overseas credit.
The UK Home Secretary had approved Modi’s extradition in 2021, but the fugitive billionaire challenged the order on human rights grounds, claiming he would not receive a fair trial in India and that his mental health would deteriorate further.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian government, strongly opposed the bail plea, highlighting Modi’s pattern of deception and ability to influence witnesses.
This is the fifth time Modi’s bail application has been rejected by UK courts since his detention. Legal experts believe his extradition may still take months due to the slow judicial process and possible appeals in the UK Supreme Court or European Court of Human Rights.
The Indian government, meanwhile, welcomed the decision and reiterated its commitment to bring back economic offenders. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement thanking British authorities for their continued cooperation.
Nirav Modi’s case continues to attract widespread attention in both India and the UK, symbolizing the larger battle against financial fraud and the challenges of international extradition.
As the legal battle continues, Modi remains behind bars, with the UK court making it clear that bail is not an option until his extradition case reaches a final verdict.
