And it’s a thumb down for Nirav Modi, to appear in UK Court today

London, March 20: Thumbs down for Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, the main accused in the USD 2 billion PNB scam case, as he got arrested today by Scotland Yard in London. The arrest came days after a London court issued an arrest warrant against him in response to a request by the Enforcement Directorate for his extradition in a money laundering case. Also, he will be produced at the London court at 5 pm IST. On Tuesday the UK Court had London court has issued an arrest warrant against him.

 

"Nirav Deepak Modi, 48 (Date of Birth 24.02.71), was arrested on behalf of the Indian Authorities on Tuesday, 19 March, in Holborn," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. "He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 20 March," the statement added.

The location of the arrest indicates that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in connection with the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank scam case, was arrested from where he is believed to have been living in a plush apartment in Centre Point in the West End.

It would seem that his arrest is on an extradition warrant, details of which would become clear when he appears before Westminster Magistrates' Court in London.

The warrant was issued a few days back and the ED was subsequently informed, they said. Nirav Modi, 48, will be subsequently brought before the court to secure bail and the legal proceedings for his extradition will begin thereafter, they said.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London had issued an extradition warrant against Nirav Modi, making his arrest imminent, according to people in London involved with the case.

Now that a warrant has reportedly been issued, Nirav Modi—wanted by India in relation to the ₹13,500-crore PNB fraud case—can choose to voluntarily surrender at a police station or have to be arrested by Metropolitan Police officers charged with executing the warrant.