UK's Westminster Court rejects Nirav Modi's plea to suppress evidence submitted by India

Nirav Modi's appeal to dismiss documents submitted by Indian government in PNB fraud case against him has been rejected by UK's Westminster court. District Judge Samuel Goozee who is presiding over case agreed that re was sufficient evidence to establish a 'Prima Facie' case for Nirav Modi's extrition to India. Westminster court is set to hear final submission in case on January 7 and 8 in 2021 before it hands down judgement in extrition case. 

Westminster court 'bound' by precedence

UK district judge presiding over extrition proceedings against Nirav Modi heard arguments from both sides with regards to witness statements provided by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) at Westminster Court. District Judge Samuel Goozee ruled that he considers himself to be bound by Court rulings in extrition case of former Kingfisher Airlines chief Vijay Mallya while ding that evidence by Indian officials to establish a 'prima face' case against fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, for fraud and money laundering, is broly missible. 

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Referring to Mallya's case, Judge Gooze said, "I consider myself bound by that decision. re is reason why points me by witnesses cant be used as informed commentary."

This came after Crown Prosecution Services (CPS), arguing on behalf of Indian government, highlighted that evidence along with witness statements submitted by Indian authorities under Section 161 of Indian Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) meet conditions required for UK's Westminster court to determine if fugitive diamantaire has a case to answer before Indian Judiciary.

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49-year old Nirav Modi following court proceeding in extrition case against him via videolink from Wandsworth Prison in south-west London, where he has been since his arrest in March 2019. Just a week ago court rejected Nirav Modi's seventh bail application despite claims from his lawyers stating that he is suffering from depression along with high amounts as security for his release. But Westminster court has repeatedly rejected bail applications citing that Indian authorities' concerns that former jeweller remains a flight risk and also risk of him influencing witnesses. 

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Nirav Modi is wanted by Indian authorities in relation to PNB scam case, which estimates to about $2 billion, and for money laundering, committing fraud to obtain Letters of Understanding from bank, witness intimidation as well as for disappearance of evidence during investigation conducted by Indian authorities. fugitive diamantaire is most likely to file an appeal in a higher court in UK if Westminster court rules in favour of Indian authorities in extrition case. 

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(With inputs from ANI & PTI)