LONDON, Jul 26: Former British Home Secretary and current Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has strongly criticised the prolonged delay in the extradition of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi to India, describing his continued presence in the United Kingdom as “appalling” and “horrifying.” Patel, who authorised Modi’s extradition order in April 2021 after British courts found a prima facie case against him, said she is deeply disappointed that the legal process has yet to reach its conclusion.
Speaking in an upcoming episode of The Daily Telegraph’s four-part podcast series, The Diamond King, Patel said Britain’s inability to send Modi back to India has damaged trust between the two countries and weakened confidence in the UK’s extradition system.
The podcast chronicles the dramatic investigation that led to the discovery of Nirav Modi living in a luxury apartment in London before he was arrested by Scotland Yard in March 2019.
Patel argued that if Britain’s legal and judicial framework had functioned more efficiently, the fugitive jeweller would have already been extradited to India to face trial.
According to her, unnecessary legal hurdles and repeated appeals have allowed Modi to remain in Britain despite multiple court rulings supporting his extradition.
She said the prolonged case has likely left Indian authorities frustrated and disappointed with the UK’s inability to implement its own judicial decisions.
Delay Affected India-UK Cooperation
Patel also revealed that the unresolved extradition case complicated diplomatic discussions between London and New Delhi during her tenure as Home Secretary from 2019 to 2022.
She recalled facing significant challenges while negotiating the return of failed asylum seekers and visa overstayers to India.
According to Patel, Indian authorities were reluctant to cooperate fully while high-profile extradition cases, including Nirav Modi’s, remained unresolved.
She suggested that New Delhi viewed these pending cases as a test of Britain’s commitment to honouring extradition agreements, making broader bilateral negotiations more difficult.
Patel said the situation became a source of frustration because progress in immigration cooperation often depended on visible movement in these sensitive legal matters.
Fraud Allegations Against Nirav Modi
Nirav Modi is accused of masterminding one of India’s biggest banking frauds involving Punjab National Bank (PNB), with alleged losses exceeding USD 2 billion.
Indian investigative agencies have filed multiple criminal cases against him.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has charged him with fraud and criminal conspiracy linked to the PNB scam.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is pursuing money laundering charges connected to the proceeds of the alleged fraud.
In addition, Modi also faces allegations of tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses during the investigation.
Indian authorities have consistently maintained that he should be returned to stand trial under Indian law.
Patel Defends UK’s Extradition Principles
Patel stressed that extradition treaties exist to ensure fugitives face justice in the countries where they are accused of committing crimes.
She argued that Nirav Modi should be serving his sentence in India after completing the legal process rather than remaining in the United Kingdom.
Describing the prolonged delay as a misuse of Britain’s legal framework, Patel said the case has imposed unnecessary costs on British taxpayers and undermined public confidence in the justice system.
She maintained that the UK’s extradition laws were designed to facilitate international cooperation rather than allow endless procedural challenges.
Legal Challenges Continue
Since his arrest in London in 2019, Nirav Modi has pursued several legal avenues to block his extradition.
British courts repeatedly rejected his appeals, including arguments based on mental health concerns and prison conditions in India.
He also reportedly failed in a final attempt before the European Court of Human Rights.
Earlier this year, the High Court in England dismissed another effort to reopen his extradition case after reports indicated that his confidential asylum claim had also been rejected.
Modi continues to remain lodged at Pentonville Prison in north London while awaiting the completion of the remaining legal formalities before extradition.
Although Indian authorities believe the extradition process is now nearing its final stage, no official timeline has yet been announced for his transfer to India.
The case remains one of the most closely watched examples of international legal cooperation between India and the United Kingdom, with both governments expected to continue coordinating until the extradition is completed.