Nirav Modi Extradition: UK High Court Rejects Final Appeal
London – The UK High Court has rejected a final attempt by fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to block his extradition to India, effectively clearing the path for his return to face charges related to the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, March 26, 2026, dismissed Modi’s petition to reopen proceedings, stating it did not meet the “exceptional circumstances” threshold required for reconsideration.
Background: The PNB Fraud Case
Nirav Modi is accused of involvement in a massive $1.4 billion (approximately Rs 13,000 crore) fraud at the Punjab National Bank, one of India’s largest banking scams. He has been fighting extradition since 2018, exhausting multiple legal avenues in UK courts, including appeals based on concerns over prison conditions and mental health. Times of India
The Rejected Appeal and Bhandari Judgment
Modi’s latest attempt to halt his extradition centered on the Bhandari judgment, a separate UK court case that blocked the extradition of defense consultant Sanjay Bhandari on human rights grounds. Modi’s legal team argued that the same risks applied to his case. However, the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, found the circumstances presented by Modi were not compelling enough to warrant reopening the earlier extradition order. Hindustan Times
Key Assurances from the Indian Government
Crucially, the court’s decision hinged on assurances provided by the Indian government in September 2025, December 2025, and February 2026. These assurances, delivered through a note verbale from the Indian High Commission in London, stated that Modi would not be interrogated by any of the five investigating agencies handling his cases. The court deemed these pledges “specific and not general and vague” and given “in good faith.” Hindustan Times
CBI Response and Next Steps
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has been pursuing Modi’s extradition since 2018, welcomed the ruling. A CBI team, including key investigating officers, traveled to London to support the Crown Prosecution Service during the hearing. Times Now News
While a plea is scheduled to come up for hearing next month, this decision appears to exhaust Modi’s remaining legal options in the United Kingdom, paving the way for his eventual return to India to face trial. Hindustan Times
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