Nirav Modi case: UK judges say claims of interrogation torture in India worrying, only India govt promises reassured them | India News
TOI correspondent from London: The judges who ruled against fugitive jeweler Nirav Modi’s attempt to reopen his appeal against his extradition said their ruling “presents a disturbing picture of the use of prohibited treatment to obtain confessions, which were characterized as ‘common and endemic'”.Lord Justice Stewart-Smith and Justice J said in their order: “Had it not been for the statements and assurances given by the Government of India, we would have contemplated reopening this appeal.”Nirav Modi’s dice may be handed over to India within a month of losing the final roll. He will not be able to approach the Supreme Court after the High Court on Wednesday refused permission to reopen his extradition plea. He may approach the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to try to obtain an injunction under Article 39 to prevent removal. Such requests are granted on an exceptional basis, when applicants face an imminent risk of irreparable harm.Ben Keith, barrister at 5 St Andrew’s Hill, told TOI: “The timetable for removal is 28 days from the HC decision. It could be delayed by an application to the ECHR, or if there is an ongoing immigration application or other logistical difficulties. However, it looks like it could be the end of the line.”Nirav’s barrister, Edward Fitzgerald KC, argued that Nirav’s appeal against extradition should be reopened after defense mediator Sanjay Bhandari won his appeal on the grounds that he would face a real risk of torture at the hands of investigative agencies in India.
