New Delhi (Agency): India has made the extradition of fugitives Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi a recurring topic in India-UK trade-related meetings, according to sources. UK delegations visiting India have faced consistent pressure from the Indian government to extradite Mallya and Nirav Modi. In an interview, senior advocate Harish Salve highlighted that PM Modi always inquires about the progress of extradition proceedings during meetings.
Salve stated, “PM Modi has firmly conveyed to the UK government that you can’t be a trade partner and a home for fugitives at the same time.” The British judiciary had ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya, the chairman of Kingfisher Airlines, in 2019, but he is yet to be sent to India. Similarly, Nirav Modi, a diamantaire and a prime accused in the Punjab National Bank scam, has been held in Wandsworth prison since his 2019 arrest.
India and the UK signed an extradition treaty in 1992, which has been in force since its ratification in the following year. Nirav Modi’s plea to the UK Supreme Court to prevent his extradition on charges of fraud and money laundering was denied in December last year. He also lost his appeal against extradition on mental health grounds. The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, has emphasized that the British judicial system is independent of the government and responsible for making extradition decisions.