Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi faced another setback as a UK judge on Tuesday ruled in India’s favour by allowing the admissibility of its evidence against him. The development improves chances of Nirav Modi’s extradition to India.
This was an additional hearing scheduled to rule on the admissibility of evidence presented before the Westminster Magistrates Court. Nirav Modi was remanded in custody till 1 December. Both sides will make their closing submissions on 7-8 January and the judgement is expected a few weeks after that in 2021.
Nirav’s lawyer, Clare Montgomery QC, countered India’s arguments at the hearing by comparing the case with ex Indian Navy officer but now an arms dealer, Ravi Shankaran, who is in the UK and is yet to be extradited.
Arguing the overturning of Shankaran’s extradition based on government of India’s evidence not meeting the UK extradition criteria, Montgomery told the court that statements under section 161 of Code of Criminal Procedure in India (statements of witnesses recorded and signed by the police) were not admissible in extradition cases.
With IANS inputs