Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has sharply criticized Britain's legal system over the prolonged delay in the extradition of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, saying he should have been returned to India years ago. She argued that the delay has not only undermined the UK's extradition process but also strained diplomatic relations between India and the United Kingdom.

Speaking on The Daily Telegraph's podcast, The Diamond King, Patel said she was surprised and disappointed that Nirav Modi remains in the UK despite an extradition order being signed several years ago.

Extradition Approved in 2021

Priti Patel signed Nirav Modi's extradition order in April 2021, after British courts concluded that there was sufficient evidence for him to face trial in India.

Expressing frustration over the continued delay, Patel said she had expected the extradition process to be completed much sooner.

Questions Raised Over the UK Legal System

Patel said the prolonged legal proceedings had damaged confidence in Britain's extradition system. According to her, if the process had moved more efficiently instead of becoming tied up in lengthy legal procedures, Nirav Modi would have already been sent back to India.

She also claimed that the delay had caused considerable frustration for the Indian government and complicated cooperation between the two countries.

'He Should Have Been Serving His Sentence in India'

Patel said the purpose of extradition treaties is to ensure that individuals accused of serious crimes face justice in the country where the alleged offences took place.

According to her, Nirav Modi should already have been in an Indian prison after the completion of the legal process. She described the prolonged delay as a misuse of the UK's legal system and said it had imposed unnecessary costs on British taxpayers.

Impact on India–UK Relations

Patel also stated that the extradition case created diplomatic challenges during her tenure as Home Secretary between 2019 and 2022.

She claimed that India was reluctant to cooperate on the return of certain individuals whose asylum applications had been rejected while high-profile extradition cases involving Indian fugitives remained unresolved. According to Patel, this made negotiations between the two countries more difficult.

Final Legal Challenge Reportedly Rejected

According to reports, Nirav Modi has exhausted his legal options in the UK, including appeals based on human rights grounds and a confidential asylum claim. His reported appeal before the European Court of Human Rights has also been rejected, bringing the extradition process closer to completion.

However, the extradition can proceed only after all remaining legal procedures and formalities are completed.

Charges Against Nirav Modi

The 55-year-old businessman is currently lodged in Pentonville Prison in London.

In India, he is wanted in connection with multiple criminal cases, including:

• A CBI case related to the alleged Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud.

• A money laundering investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

• Allegations of tampering with evidence and influencing witnesses.

The alleged fraud involving Punjab National Bank has been estimated at around $2 billion.

The Bottom Line

Priti Patel's remarks have once again drawn attention to the lengthy legal process surrounding Nirav Modi's extradition. While she believes the UK system has taken far too long to execute an approved extradition order, the final transfer to India will depend on the completion of all remaining legal and administrative procedures under UK law.