Nirav Modi’s Extradition Delayed Due to New Asylum Claim
Nirav Modi, a jeweler wanted in India for financial fraud, may face further delays in his extradition. Reports suggest that he has filed a second asylum claim in the UK, which has put his return to India on hold.
Indian officials have learned from their British counterparts that the extradition cannot proceed due to unspecified “secret proceedings.” This term often relates to asylum requests, though the UK has not provided details about the nature of these proceedings.
Modi previously sought asylum in 2018, but that request was denied. However, he might be attempting to file another claim based on humanitarian grounds, referencing a recent case involving another fugitive, Sanjay Bhandari. Modi’s representatives argue that the circumstances have changed since his first application.
In the past year, Modi has tried to convince UK courts that he would face torture and mistreatment if extradited to India. He cited a February 2025 judgment regarding Bhandari, where the court expressed concerns about his safety in Indian custody, leading to the rejection of Bhandari’s extradition.
On March 25, a UK high court rejected Modi’s plea to reopen his extradition case, which had been ordered by a Westminster court in February 2021. Following this decision, Modi approached the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), seeking protection under a particular rule related to his rights—though such requests are generally turned down.
A senior Indian government official confirmed that they had inquired about Modi’s extradition status and were informed of the ongoing secret proceedings.
Modi is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of ₹6,498 crore, part of a larger ₹13,578 crore scheme that also involves his uncle, Mehul Choksi. He has been imprisoned in the UK since his arrest on March 19, 2019, based on India’s extradition request.
The Indian government has assured UK authorities that Modi would be held at Arthur Road prison in Mumbai and would not be interrogated by agencies, promising that he would face trial in a courtroom setting. Under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act of 2018, Modi has been declared a fugitive, and assets worth ₹2,598 crore have already been attached by Indian authorities. So far, ₹981 crore has been returned to victim banks.
