London: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, in UK custody for over six years, has told a London court that there are “sensational developments” to come when his extradition case to India on fraud and money laundering charges reopens next month.

The 54-year-old appeared before High Court Judge Simon Tinkler at the Royal Courts of Justice on Friday, presenting his defence in an unrelated case involving an unpaid Bank of India debt exceeding USD 8 million.

The judge rejected Nirav’s request to stay proceedings due to technical and medical constraints in prison. The trial is scheduled for seven days in January 2026.

“They (Bank of India) refer to my extradition… I'm still here. There will be some sensational developments, and I have never used these words before,” Nirav said during a pre-trial review hearing.

The diamond merchant, wanted in India over the estimated USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan scam, expressed hope of either being discharged or granted bail. The court has agreed to consider new evidence, despite a “high bar” for such cases.

Extradition appeal set for November

The UK Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Nirav “has lodged an application to reopen his (extradition) appeal”, with Indian authorities submitting their response ahead of a hearing expected towards the end of November.

Defending himself as a “Litigant in Person”, Nirav read from handwritten notes, describing struggles with eyesight and delays in accessing a computer in prison. “I understand this is an adversarial process and they (Bank of India) can say anything against me. But they keep on making assumptions; I would say, spend one day in prison… there needs to be some basic common sense,” he said, at times losing his composure.

Bank of India, represented by barristers Tom Beasley and Milan Kapadia, argued that a stay would be unfair as it would indefinitely delay the claim related to a loan for Dubai-incorporated Firestar Diamond FZE. “If he is extradited, he will likely remain in custody… He will also be in a different time zone,” Beasley said, adding the bank remained sceptical about Nirav’s “claimed lack of funds”.

Judge addresses medical and procedural concerns

Justice Tinkler said that while medical issues affect Nirav’s ability to participate, sufficient time exists to make reasonable adjustments. A computer will be provided within a week, and hard copies of documents will be sent ahead of the next pre-trial hearing in early December.

Nirav’s in-person appearance followed a court “production order”, requiring transfer from HMP Thameside to HMP Pentonville. He requested a single-occupancy cell, which the judge could not grant, but directions were made to transfer all paperwork or return him to Thameside.

Background on extradition and Indian proceedings

Arrested in March 2019, Nirav has made several unsuccessful bail attempts, most recently in May, due to flight risk concerns. He faces three criminal proceedings in India: the CBI case of PNB fraud, the Enforcement Directorate case on laundering proceeds, and a case of alleged interference with evidence and witnesses.

In April 2021, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel ordered his extradition after a prima facie case was established. He has now successfully applied to reopen his appeal, with hearings set for next month.