LONDON: The UK High Court on Tuesday began hearing an appeal by the billionaire diamond dealer Nirav Modi against his extradition to India to face charges of defrauding Punjab National Bank of more than Rs 11,000 crore as well as charges of money laundering and witness intimidation. Modi’s lawyers argue that he should not be sent back to India on the grounds that it would harm his mental health and place him at risk of suicide. Much of what was discussed had already been heard at Westminster Magistrate’s Court where judge Samuel Goozee had earlier this year ordered Modi’s extradition after ruling that there is a Prima Facie case against him as brought by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI. This hearing was heard before Lord Justice Stuart Smith and Justice Robert Jay.
It was argued that the Indian government, while making assurances, had failed to provide how such things would work in practise. The judges retorted that the court was happy to take the government’s assurances at face value.