Nirav Modi has been granted permission to appeal against his extradition from the UK to India to face charges in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case on mental health grounds, reports said on Monday. UK high court Judge Martin Chamberlain ruled that an appeal looking at the consequences to Nirav Modi’s state of mind is “reasonably arguable”. In June, the UK high court turned down Nirav Modi’s appeal against his extradition to India.
The Westminster Magistrates’ Court cleared Nirav Modi’s extradition in February this year and found him guilty of fraud and money laundering in the PNB fraud. The court also dismissing his claims that he wouldn’t get a fair trial in India. UK home secretary Priti Patel approved the extradition in April.
Nirav Modi then approached the UK high court to ascertain if there were any grounds for an appeal against Patel’s decision or the Westminster Magistrates’ Court order. Modi’s appeal was rejected by a high court judge.
According to ANI, Nirav Modi’s lawyer in an application to the UK high court last month to appeal against his extradition said it would seriously impact his mental health and would worsen “suicidal feelings”. Edward Fitzgerald said Modi was “severely depressed” and asked that the extradition be blocked on mental health grounds, the news agency added.Justice Martin Chamberlain delivered his verdict to conclude that the arguments presented by Nirav Modi’s legal team concerning his “severe depression” and “high risk of suicide” were arguable at a substantial hearing.
Image curtsey: The Tribune
