Fugitive diamond trader Nirav Modi, the main accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, can soon be brought back to India. According to sources, the legal hurdles in his extradition case are almost over. Almost all the major legal options available to him in Britain have been exhausted. It is reported that a special team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reached London. Due to which it is believed that Nirav can be brought to India any time.
According to sources, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team, which is currently present in London, has held a meeting with UK officials and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The main objective of this meeting is to finalize the final paperwork and security arrangements related to the extradition of Nirav Modi. Officials are finalizing the extradition process.
CBI team will return to India tomorrow
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team will return to India tomorrow i.e. Thursday (April 16). Based on the report of this team, the final operational phase of extradition will be carried out. If Nirav Modi extradition is successful, it will be a big achievement for the government.
CBI will present arguments in France’s ECHR
After returning from London, the CBI team will also go to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France within about two weeks, where it will present its arguments in the Nirav Modi case. Nirav has approached the ECHR to save himself. However, Indian investigating agencies are confident that his plea will not stand there either. CBI will present a strong argument there that no human rights are being violated in sending Nirav to India.
Fugitive diamond trader Nirav Modi has been granted anonymity by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) till the disposal of his petition. This petition is related to ban on extradition to India. ECHR has made it clear that the hearing of this case will be kept confidential and the entire proceedings will be conducted in a private manner. The court’s statement said that in cases where the applicant is given anonymity and the case file is confidential, the court cannot make any information public.
ECHR hearing may take place within two weeks
According to sources, Nirav Modi’s petition may be heard in the ECHR within about two weeks, in which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will also be given a chance to present its arguments. It is being told that to avoid extradition to India, almost all the legal options available to Nirav Modi have been exhausted. As a last resort, he has turned to the ECHR based in Strasbourg, France.
Nirav Modi’s petition rejected
Earlier in March 2026, the British High Court had rejected Nirav Modi’s petition in which he had demanded a re-hearing in his extradition case. The court also rejected his lawyer’s argument that he might have to face torture in India.
The court had said in its decision on March 25 that there is no need to take a decision on whether the arrangement for attending the hearing through video conferencing is sufficient or not. The court also said that there is no real risk of torture or any kind of ill-treatment during transportation from jail to court in Mumbai.
Nirav Modi is lodged in London jail since 2019
Nirav Modi is lodged in London jail since 2019. He was arrested by British agencies on the request of India in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. Nirav Modi’s bail plea has been rejected 11 times so far, because the court has considered him a flight risk.