London: Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is wanted in India to stand trial on fraud and money-laundering charges, told a UK court on Thursday that he could be in England for years as ongoing proceedings prevent his extradition.
The 52-year-old Nirav appeared for a hearing at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court in east London via video link from Thameside prison over legal costs, or fines, amounting to 150,247 Pounds accrued over his failed extradition appeal proceedings in London High Court, reported PTI.
A bald and plump Nirav, dressed in a pink prison-issue outfit, told the three-member magistrates’ bench that he had complied with the previous court direction to pay 10,000 Pounds per month towards the fines.
“I am in prison on remand and remain un-convicted. I am here because of an extradition request from the Indian government,” Nirav said when asked for the reason behind his continued imprisonment.
Asked if he was aware of a timeframe for extradition proceedings to be completed, he responded ‘unfortunately not’.
“To clarify, I was arrested in mid-March for extradition. Some proceedings are still going on which stop my extradition to India… It is very likely I will be in England for a long time, could be three months, six months, could be years,” he said.
The case related to unpaid fines was adjourned to February 8, 2024, when Nirav is again expected to appear via video link from prison.
