NEW DELHI, March 26: The High Court of Justice in London has refused an application by fugitive businessman Nirav Modi to reopen his extradition appeal against the Government of India, holding that fresh assurances provided by Indian authorities were sufficient to address concerns raised in the case.
In its judgment dated March 25, 2026, the Divisional Court comprising Lord Justice Stuart-Smith and Justice Jay ruled that the legal threshold for reopening the appeal had not been met, observing that such a step requires “exceptional circumstances” and the need to avoid “real injustice.”
The court noted that Modi’s application was primarily based on concerns arising from a separate 2025 judgment, which highlighted risks of ill-treatment during custodial interrogation in India. However, it held that the Government of India had since provided “comprehensive, detailed and reliable” assurances that Modi would not be subjected to interrogation following extradition.
These assurances, conveyed through official communications between September 2025 and February 2026, included commitments that Modi would not be questioned by investigative agencies such as the CBI, ED, or other authorities without prior consent from UK authorities.
The court emphasised that such assurances were given in good faith by the Indian government and were binding at a diplomatic level. It further observed that there was no basis to conclude that Indian authorities would act contrary to these commitments.
Importantly, the judges stated that even if theoretical legal questions remained about enforcement within India, the practical effect of the assurances was sufficient to eliminate any real risk of prohibited treatment.
Concluding the matter, the court held that reopening the appeal was neither necessary nor justified, thereby rejecting Modi’s application and allowing the extradition process to proceed in accordance with earlier orders.
(UNI)
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