Nirav Modi's five-day extradition trial in PNB fraud case begins in UK

Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, fighting extradition to India on charges over nearly USD 2 billion PNB fraud and money laundering case, appeared via videolink before a UK court on first day of his five-day extradition trial on Monday, taking place in a part-remote setting due to coronavirus lockdown.

49-year-old jeweller, who has been lodged at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London since his arrest in March last year, joined proceedings via court’s common viewing platform (CVP) at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London dressed formally in a white shirt and black blazer.

hearing got off to a delayed start as officials sorted out technical difficulties of connecting court room to prison.Given social distancing measures being followed by prisons and courts, District Judge Samuel Goozee had conceded that Modi can follow proceedings via videolink rar than rm of being produced in person."It is important that if you have any difficulty with audio or visual of proceedings at any time, to let us kw immediately,” Judge Goozee told Modi, so that he can follow court proceedings in an open way as per law.

A handful of legal representatives were present in court room, as previously agreed, with witnesses set to give ir evidence via videolink. Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), appearing on behalf of Indian authorities, began by laying out basis of Indian government's case. CPS barrister Helen Malcolm appeared via videolink to tell court that Modi acquired “eye watering amounts of money” fraudulently from Punjab National Bank (PNB).

“re is really thing very complicated about this case. It covers three aspects - fraud, n laundering of that fraud money and rotation of goods around Modi empire,” she said. five-day hearing which started on Monday relates to Indian government’s extradition request certified by UK government last year. case has been filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) and relates to a large-scale fraud upon an Indian PSU through fraudulent obtaining of letters of understanding (LoUs) and laundering of proceeds of that fraud.

Two additional charges of "causing disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or “criminal intimidation to cause death” were added on by CBI and certified earlier this year.CPS barrister Nick Hearn, co-counsel in case, told court at last hearing in April, held via tele-conference, that government of India’s representatives would be following proceedings and giving instructions via court's online common viewing platform, given COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

“We have received comprehensive responses in writing from government of India, which would reduce likely length of cross-examinations,” said Hearn.It was also confirmed that diamond merchant would t be giving evidence in case, but his legal team plans to produce around six witnesses, including a jewellery expert as well as judicial and prisons experts.

Most of legal cases in UK have incorporated videolink and telephonic options where possible amid social distancing rules in place to combat coronavirus pandemic.Modi, whose Wandsworth Prison is considered one of most over-crowded in England, had made a fifth attempt at bail in High Court last month, which was rejected as judge ruled that he continued to pose a flight risk.

jeweller was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard on charges of fraud and money laundering brought by Indian government.