Fugitive jeweller, Nirav Modi, who is wanted in the Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank scam, has been arrested in London and next hearing in the case will be held in the Westminster court on March 29 before Chief Magistrate.
He applied for bail saying in Court that he ‘has demonstrated keenness to fully cooperate. Pay tax and has submitted travel documents.’. His bail plea was rejected by the London court and it said that he will remain in custody till 29th March.
According to the local police, the fugitive diamond merchant was picked up on Tuesday from London’s Holborn metro station.
Reportedly, three days ago, UK issued a warrant against him following the Enforcement Directorate’s request for his extradition. But a decision on his extradition cannot be taken without a long-drawn legal process, as is happening in the case of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya.
ALSO READ: China cements ties with Pakistan; appreciates its efforts to ease situation
UK has recently approved Vijay Mallya’s extradition, but the matter is now pending with its Home Office.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “They had only helped him flee the country, now they are bringing him back. They are bringing him back for the elections, they will send him back after elections.”
Over the last weeks, he was sighted in London twice, walking around in expensive ostrich-hide jacket. He had brushed off the questions of the reporters who spotted him, with a “no comments”.