Extradition Trial Of PNB Fraud Accused Fugitive Economic Offender Nirav Modi To Begin By May 2020 In London Court

The extradition trial of Indian diamond merchant Nirav Modi who has been officially proclaimed as a fugitive economic offender in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case by an Indian court will begin on May 2020, according to a judge of a court in the United Kingdom.

After he appeared before the Westminster Magistrates Court, London, UK on December 4 for his remand hearing, Judge Branston told him that the court is working towards a final hearing of his case on May 11, 2020.

The extradition trial of Nirav Modi has been fixed as of now from May 11 to May 15, 2020. He will remain in judicial custody pending a full extradition trial.

His next remand hearing is on January 2, 2020.

Incidentally, UK courts have rejected all bail applications by Nirav Modi.

Modi has been lodged at Wandsworth prison in south-west London, which is one of England's most overcrowded jails, since his arrest in March, 2019.

His arrest was on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard based on charges brought by the Indian government, being represented by the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in court.

Nirav Modi is wanted for his role in alleged bank fraud amounting to approximately USD 2 billion, which is the largest so far. A warrant against him was issued by the UK home office at the behest of the Indian government.