Desk : Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has approached the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) seeking to halt his extradition to India. He has filed an application under Rule 39, requesting interim relief to stay his removal.
The move comes after his legal options in the United Kingdom were largely exhausted. Recently, the London High Court rejected his plea to reopen the appeal against extradition, closing one of his last remaining avenues in the UK judicial system.
Rule 39 of the ECtHR allows the court to issue interim measures to member states in exceptional cases, particularly where there is a risk of serious and irreparable harm. During the pendency of such an application, the court can direct a temporary suspension of extradition or related actions.
Sources indicate that India’s efforts to extradite Nirav Modi were in the final stages. However, the latest application before the European court may delay the process.
Nirav Modi, accused of defrauding PNB of around ₹13,000 crore, has been lodged in a UK prison since 2019. The Government of India has been pursuing his extradition for several years.