UK home secretary approves extradition of billionaire jeweler accused of defrauding bank to India News
geralt / Pixabay
UK home secretary approves extradition of billionaire jeweler accused of defrauding bank to India

A spokesperson for the UK Home Office announced Friday that Home Secretary Priti Patel has approved the extradition of billionaire jeweler Nirav Modi to India, where he will face charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

In a judgment of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court delivered on February 25, District Judge Sam Goozée found that there was sufficient evidence upon which Modi could be convicted in relation to the conspiracy to defraud PNB, among other things. Hence, a “prima facie case” was established. Furthermore, Judge Goozée found that there was nothing to suggest that Modi’s extradition would be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights, entitling him to send the case to the secretary of state for a decision, in accordance with Section 87(3) of the Extradition Act, 2003.

According to the spokesperson, Patel signed the extradition order on Thursday. Modi now has 14 days from this date to lodge an appeal in the High Court of Justice. If there is no application to appeal, Modi will be extradited within 28 days of the home secretary’s signing the order.

THIS DAY @ LAW

UK parliament passed Statute of Westminster

On December 3, 1931, the UK Parliament passed the Statute of Westminster, under which the British dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the Irish Free State and Newfoundland gained complete legislative independence. The statute received royal assent and came into force on December 11.

President Theodore Roosevelt calls for dissolution of trusts

On December 3, 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt called for the dissolution of business trusts in his first State of the Union address. Roosevelt would go on to dissolve 44 trusts during his administration, earning the nickname "Trust Buster".