India's most wanted fugitive, Nirav Modi, has been located in the United Kingdom, confirmed the CBI. The Interpol informed the Indian authorities about Modi's location on Thursday, 16 August.
The sources have also confirmed that the UK authorities have not shared Modi’s UK address, city or arrested him so far. But now Modi will not be able to move out of UK because of the Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him.
An RCN was issued against Modi by the Interpol on 2 July, which helped the investigative agency locate the fugitive jeweller.
Although the RCN helps "locate and provisionally arrest an individual" against whom a valid national arrest warrant has been issued, the Interpol cannot compel any member country to arrest an individual against whom the RCN has been issued.
Each member country holds a different legal value for RCN within their borders. However, RCN helps restrict the movement of the fugitive to other countries.
Located, But What Next?
The Indian investigative agencies started the extradition process of Modi. The authorities have established communication with the UK authorities through diplomatic channels and have sought more information on him, as told by the source.
We have already sent the extradition request to the Indian Embassy in UK. Once the request is handed over to the UK authorities, they will legally vet the case against Modi. If they feel that there is enough evidence against Modi, the authorities will file the extradition request in the UK court. The UK court will then decide whether Modi should be extradited to India or not.A senior investigative officer, Enforcement Directorate
The CBI has handed over the extradition request to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday, 20 August. From the MHA it will be sent to the UK authorities through diplomatic channels.
Moreover, India has an extradition treaty with the UK; hence, it would be easier for the Government of India to initiate Modi's extradition process.
India is already fighting a case to get fugitive businessman and erstwhile owner of now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines Vijay Mallya extradited from the UK.
Nirav Modi and his family left India in the first week of January 2018. A case against him and his uncle Mehul Choksi was registered by the CBI on 30 January under the Prevention of Corruption Act for causing alleged loss to the Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 13000 crore.
Simultaneously, the Enforcement Directorate registered a case against the duo under the Money Laundering Act.
Both agencies have filed a charge sheet against Modi, Choksi and others involved in the PNB scam.
On 8 July, Choksi escaped to Antigua from the US. Later, it was found that he had taken Antiguan citizenship in November 2017.
Now the Indian government is making efforts to extradite him from there, though it seems to be difficult because India doesn’t have extradition treaty with the Antigua & Barbuda.
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