London: Former UK Home Secretary and Conservative MP Priti Patel has criticised Britain’s prolonged delay in extraditing fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to India, saying she is “appalled and horrified” that he remains in the UK despite an extradition order being signed in 2021. Patel also claimed that the delay had strained bilateral cooperation, alleging it left India “demoralised” and complicated discussions on the return of illegal Indian migrants from Britain.
Nirav Modi is wanted in India to face trial in connection with the alleged USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and related money laundering cases. He has remained in custody in the UK while pursuing legal challenges against his extradition.
Patel criticises extradition delays
Speaking on The Daily Telegraph’s The Diamond King podcast, Patel said she had signed Nirav Modi’s extradition order after UK courts found a prima facie case against him.
She argued that Britain’s legal system had become entangled in prolonged procedures and appeals, allowing Modi to remain in the country for years despite exhausting most of his legal options.
“If our system were judicious and doing the right thing, rather than tying itself up in process and excuses, he should not be in this country,” Patel said.
Claims over India-UK migration talks
Patel further alleged that the extradition issue affected negotiations with India on the return of illegal Indian migrants.
According to her, Indian authorities were reluctant to cooperate fully on accepting failed asylum seekers and visa overstayers while high-profile extradition cases, including Nirav Modi’s, remained unresolved.
She claimed that India used the pending extradition as leverage during discussions with the UK government. These remarks reflect Patel’s account of negotiations and have not been independently confirmed by the Indian government.
Nirav Modi’s legal battle
Nirav Modi was arrested in London in 2019 following India’s extradition request.
A UK court approved his extradition in February 2021, and the then Home Secretary, Priti Patel, formally ordered his extradition later that year. Since then, Modi has pursued multiple appeals on human rights grounds and also filed a confidential asylum claim.
According to recent reports, he has exhausted most legal avenues, including an unsuccessful attempt to reopen his extradition case earlier this year, with extradition now seen as imminent.
Charges against Nirav Modi
Indian agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), have accused Nirav Modi of fraud, criminal conspiracy and money laundering in connection with the alleged Punjab National Bank scam.
He also faces proceedings related to alleged interference with evidence and witnesses linked to the investigation. Modi has denied wrongdoing throughout the legal process.
Conclusion
Priti Patel’s remarks have once again drawn attention to the long-running extradition proceedings involving Nirav Modi and their potential impact on India-UK relations. While she blamed Britain’s legal delays for frustrating cooperation with India, the extradition process continues to be shaped by ongoing judicial procedures and legal safeguards in the UK.