Nirav Modi extradition to proceed after UK legal process ends: MEA
Synopsis
India's MEA has reaffirmed that Nirav Modi's extradition from the UK is on track — pending the conclusion of residual judicial proceedings. With a UK court having already rejected his latest bid to reopen the case in March, New Delhi's position is that the legal path is narrowing for the fugitive diamond merchant at the centre of India's biggest banking fraud.
Key Takeaways
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on 28 July confirmed Nirav Modi's extradition will proceed once UK judicial proceedings conclude.
The High Court of Justice, King's Bench Division in London rejected Modi's petition to reopen extradition proceedings in March .
The petition was based on the Bhandari judgment , a UK High Court ruling in the case of defence middleman Sanjay Bhandari .
Nirav Modi is accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case involving alleged use of fraudulent guarantees to secure overseas loans.
He left India in January 2018 and was arrested in the United Kingdom in 2019 ; British courts had previously approved his extradition.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday, 28 July reaffirmed that fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi will be extradited from the United Kingdom to India once all ongoing judicial proceedings in the UK conclude. The government's position, officials said, remains firm on bringing all fugitive offenders back to face Indian courts.
What the MEA Said
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, stated: 'As far as Nirav Modi is concerned, as we have informed you earlier, certain judicial proceedings are currently underway in the UK. Once those legal proceedings are concluded, the process of his extradition will move forward.'
Jaiswal added: 'We are closely following those legal proceedings. The Government of India's position remains firm that all fugitive offenders should be brought back to India and made to face the judicial process here.'
UK Court Rejects Bid to Reopen Case
In March, the High Court of Justice, King's Bench Division in London rejected Nirav Modi's petition seeking to reopen proceedings against his extradition order to India. The application had been filed on the basis of the Bhandari judgment — a ruling by a UK High Court in the case of defence middleman Sanjay Bhandari.
The hearing was argued by a Crown Prosecution Service advocate, assisted by a dedicated team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), including investigating officers who had travelled to London to support the proceedings.
Background: The PNB Fraud Case
Nirav Modi is wanted in India in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, which allegedly involved the use of fraudulent guarantees issued in the name of the state-run lender to obtain overseas loans. He left India in January 2018, shortly before the CBI initiated its probe into the scam.
Following his arrest in the United Kingdom in 2019, British courts approved his extradition to India. The courts accepted assurances regarding his treatment in India and found no legal impediments to extradition, subsequently dismissing his earlier appeals.
What Happens Next
The extradition process will formally advance once the current judicial proceedings in the UK reach their conclusion. India's legal and investigative machinery, including the CBI, has remained actively engaged throughout the UK court process, signalling that New Delhi regards this as a priority case. The outcome will be closely watched as a benchmark for India's broader push to repatriate high-profile economic fugitives.
Point of View
Or whether fresh legal avenues extend the wait further.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of Nirav Modi's extradition to India?
The extradition process is pending the conclusion of ongoing judicial proceedings in the United Kingdom. The MEA confirmed on 28 July that once those proceedings end, the extradition will move forward.
Why did the UK court reject Nirav Modi's latest petition?
The High Court of Justice, King's Bench Division in London rejected his petition to reopen extradition proceedings in March. The application was based on the Bhandari judgment — a ruling in the case of defence middleman Sanjay Bhandari — which the court did not find applicable to Modi's case.
What is Nirav Modi accused of in India?
Nirav Modi is wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, which allegedly involved fraudulent guarantees issued in the name of the state-run bank to obtain overseas loans. He left India in January 2018, shortly before the CBI launched its investigation.
When was Nirav Modi arrested and what did UK courts decide earlier?
Nirav Modi was arrested in the United Kingdom in 2019. British courts subsequently approved his extradition to India, accepting government assurances regarding his treatment and dismissing his earlier appeals.
Who is representing India in the UK extradition proceedings?
The Crown Prosecution Service has argued the case on India's behalf, assisted by a dedicated CBI team that included investigating officers who travelled to London to support the hearings.
