India gets assurance from UK on Nirav

CBI moves Interpol for Red Corner Notice

The United Kingdom on Monday offered all assistance to speedily extradite Nirav Modi, as it confirmed his presence there, even as the CBI moved the Interpol swiftly to issue a Red Corner Notice against the absconding diamantaire, who is "involved" in an Rs 13,000-crore loan fraud case.

Nirav, who was named in multiple FIRs by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the scam involving Punjab National Bank (PNB), is presently in the UK and has reportedly sought asylum there, claiming "political persecution" back home.

The extradition of Nirav, who left India in the first week of January before the CBI registered an FIR, was raised by India during a meeting between Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and Minister of State for Countering Extremism and Minister for Equalities, Baroness Williams of Trafford here.

"Baroness Williams has assured the minister of Britain's full cooperation in the Government of India's efforts to expedite the extradition of Nirav Modi, liquor baron Vijay Mallya and others. The UK authorities have confirmed Nirav Modi's presence in Britain," a senior official said.

Rijiju said he had a very useful meeting with the UK minister. "We discussed India-UK joint efforts to deal with terrorism and extremism. We also agreed to cooperate in the matters of extradition and sharing of information," he said.

"Raising the issue of fugitive tycoons wanted by New Delhi for frauds and financial misappropriations, Rijiju said Britain should not be viewed as a safe haven for men wanted by the law of the other country for various offences. He said while India respects the courts and will pursue the legal procedures in Britain to bring back wanted men, New Delhi expects the cooperation of the UK government," an official statement said.

CBI sources said the agency has written to the Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice — which enables any country to arrest and extradite a suspect — against Nirav. His wife Ami, a US citizen, brother Nishal, a Belgian, and uncle Mehul Choksi, Gitanjali group's promoter, had also fled the country in the first week of January.

The agency had recently charge-sheeted Nirav and Choksi in separate cases.