Chennai: MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava informed that the Indian government is in liaison with the authorities of the United Kingdom for early extradition of fugitive economic offender Nirav Modi who has been ordered by a local court to be extradited to India.
Anurag Srivastava said, “They have dismissed his mental health concerns and the judge has observed that Nirav Modi has conspired to destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses. Now the magistrate court has recommended Nirav Modi’s extradition to the UK Home Secretary”.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) meanwhile termed the judgement as ‘significant’ and said it should serve as a reminder to all fugitives, who have indulged in large value frauds, that they cannot escape the law merely by changing their countries of residence.
In a statement, the CBI said the court order vindicated the painstaking probe carried out by the agency especially since Nirav Modi had raised various issues on admissibility of evidence, fairness of investigation, trial, prison conditions, availability of health facilities in India and extraneous consideration, with a view to divert attention from his own acts.
Earlier, the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London accepted the contention of the Indian government to extradite Modi saying that the evidence against him “is prima facie sufficient to order his extradition to India to face the charges”.