The United Kingdom has approved the extradition of fugitive Indian diamond tycoon Nirav Modi, a Home Office spokesman said on Friday.
Nirav Modi fled India before details on his alleged involvement in USD2.2 billion bank fraud, India's biggest, became public in 2018. The fraud dented confidence in the state banking sector and New Delhi has since tried to get Modi extradited. Modi was arrested in Britain in March 2019 and has been in custody since then.
The spokesman for the United Kingdom's Home Office said in a statement on Friday that, on 25 February the District Judge gave judgment in the extradition case of Nirav Modi. The extradition order was signed on April 15.
Modi, whose diamonds have adorned Hollywood stars such as Kate Winslet and Dakota Johnson, can still appeal to a higher court in Britain against the decisions of both the district court and the secretary within 14 days.
Zulfiquar Memon of Indian law firm MZM Legal, who is part of a team representing Modi in his extradition case, said "the legal team is in the process of challenging the order in the UK High Court, which may happen anytime soon." India's Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
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