UK court rejects Nirav Modi’s bail plea again amid CBI push for extradition in PNB fraud case

In a significant development, the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, London, on Thursday rejected the latest bail petition filed by fugitive diamantaire Nirav Deepak Modi. This marks the tenth time Modi’s bail request has been denied since his detention in the United Kingdom.

The bail application was strongly contested by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which was supported by a dedicated team from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), including investigating and legal officers who travelled to London specifically for the hearing. The CBI effectively defended the Indian government’s position, leading to the court’s decision to deny bail.

Nirav Modi is a declared fugitive economic offender wanted in India for trial in a massive bank fraud case involving the Punjab National Bank (PNB), in which he allegedly defrauded the bank of Rs. 6,498.20 crore. His extradition to India has already been approved by a UK court in favour of the Indian government.

The latest rejection adds another layer to the prolonged legal battle, as Indian authorities continue their efforts to bring Modi back to face justice.