Jeweller Nirav Modi, the prime accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, has faced a backlash in a London court. A UK court on Thursday ruled that Modi could be surrendered to India to stand trial, as a prima facie case has been lodged against him, which he has to answer in India.
Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are booked for fraud and money laundering in the ₹ 14,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan scam. Both the accused left India in January 2018, weeks before the scam was exposed.
The Westminster Magistrates’ Court in its order said that Modi conspired to wipe out evidence and threaten witnesses. The extradition judge said that Barrack 12 at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai is fit for Modi and that he would not be denied justice after his extradition to India.
Modi’s lawyers urged that the accused have been suffering from severe depression. However, the extradition judge directed that Nirav Modi would be given adequate medical treatment and mental health care in the jail.