Fugitive diamond trader Nirav Modi has suffered another significant legal defeat in the UK, as the London High Court upheld a claim by the Bank of India, ordering him to pay more than $10.7 million, equivalent to over Rs 100 crore at current exchange rates. This judgment marks a crucial victory for the state-owned Indian lender in its ongoing efforts to recover dues from one of India's most prominent economic offenders.
The Court's Decision
The ruling by the London High Court held Modi personally liable for the outstanding amount. The Bank of India had argued that Modi provided a personal guarantee for a loan extended to Dubai-based Firestar Diamond FZE, a company with direct links to him. Despite Modi's personal appearance in court earlier this year to contest the claim, the High Court sided with the Bank of India, declaring its claim valid and enforceable. This decision empowers the bank to pursue the recovery of the funds through legal mechanisms available within the UK.
Background of the Dispute
The case specifically involved a loan provided by the Bank of India to Firestar Diamond FZE. The bank's position was that Nirav Modi had personally assured the repayment of this loan. His challenge in UK courts, aimed at disputing this liability, ultimately failed, reinforcing the enforceability of the personal guarantee.
Modi's Ongoing Legal Battles
This judgment is the latest in a series of legal setbacks for Nirav Modi in Britain. Earlier this year, in March, the London High Court rejected his attempt to reopen extradition proceedings, confirming previous decisions that paved the way for his return to India to face charges. Modi has been held in custody in the UK since his arrest in London in March 2019, with British courts consistently denying his bail applications.
Wider Context: The PNB Fraud Case
Nirav Modi remains a central accused figure in the multi-billion-dollar Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, which came to light in 2018. India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have accused him of fraud, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering. Investigators allege that the scam involved thousands of crores of rupees, exploiting banking guarantees issued by PNB.
Since his departure from India, Modi has been subjected to extradition proceedings, asset seizures, and multiple recovery actions initiated by various banks and enforcement agencies across several jurisdictions. Government disclosures, as reported by NDTV, indicate that fugitive economic offenders collectively owe public sector banks over Rs 58,000 crore, with recovery efforts continuing worldwide.