Interpol confirms Nirav Modi in UK, CBI seeks extradition

TIL Desk/Business/New Delhi/ With the Interpol confirming the presence of fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500-crore PNB fraud, in the United Kingdom, the CBI on Monday moved to seek his detention and extradition to India, an official said on Monday.

According to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official, UK authorities confirmed Nirav Modi’s presence in the country on Sunday through a mail after a diffusion notice was issued against him by the agency to the Interpol. A diffusion notice is an international alert for the arrest of a specific person.

The official said that the CBI sent an extradition request to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday for approaching the UK authorities. The CBI official said that the agency had requested the Interpol to detain Nirav Modi on the basis of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him. Nirav Modi’s location was not traced until then.

The Interpol revealed two months ago that Modi had travelled to six countries on a passport that was revoked by the Ministry of External Affairs. On July 2, the Interpol had issued a RCN against Nirav Modi on the basis of money laundering charges levelled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).