New Delhi: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi has been granted anonymity by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), effectively placing his case under confidential status and shielding proceedings from public scrutiny, officials said.
With the anonymity order in place, the court will treat the case as confidential, meaning hearings and related documents will not be accessible to the public.
An official statement from the court’s press office confirmed this position, saying, “In cases where an applicant has been granted anonymity and the case file is confidential, the court cannot provide any information about that case.”
Key Hearing Likely Within Fortnight
Sources indicated that the Strasbourg-based court is expected to hold a hearing on Modi’s plea within the next two weeks. During the proceedings, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will also present its arguments.
Following the hearing, the court may deliver its ruling — a decision that could prove decisive for India’s long-running efforts to bring Modi back to face trial.
If the ECHR rejects Modi’s plea, it would remove the final legal obstacle preventing his extradition to India from the United Kingdom, where he is currently imprisoned in London.
UK High Court Earlier Rejected Bid To Reopen Case
In March this year, the High Court of Justice rejected Modi’s petition to reopen his extradition case.
The court relied heavily on diplomatic assurances provided by the Indian government, describing them as “comprehensive” and sufficient to address concerns over the risk of torture or mistreatment if Modi were returned to India.
The bench comprising Lord Justice Stuart-Smith and Justice Jay declined Modi’s request under the Criminal Procedure Rules, noting that diplomatic undertakings submitted between September 2025 and February 2026 were detailed and reliable.
This ruling effectively exhausted all legal remedies available to Modi within the United Kingdom, prompting him to approach the ECHR — a move made possible because the UK is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Appeal Linked To Earlier Extradition Case
Modi’s request to reopen his extradition appeal was partly based on a February 2025 judgment in the extradition case involving defence consultant Sanjay Bhandari.
In that ruling, the court had observed that torture by Indian investigative agencies to extract confessions was “commonplace and endemic,” a concern Modi’s legal team cited to challenge his extradition.
However, the UK court found India’s updated assurances adequate to mitigate such concerns.
Background: Rs 13,000 Crore Punjab National Bank Fraud Case
The 55-year-old jeweller, once known for his luxury brand, Bollywood clientele, and appearances at international events such as the Cannes Film Festival, has been in custody since his arrest in London on March 19, 2019.
Modi has been declared a fugitive economic offender in India and is accused of masterminding a massive Rs 13,000 crore fraud at the Punjab National Bank.
Investigators allege he carried out the fraud in collusion with his uncle Mehul Choksi, who is currently lodged in a prison in Belgium.
According to the CBI, Modi alone is accused of siphoning off Rs 6,498.20 crore from the total misappropriated amount.
Why The ECHR Verdict Matters
The upcoming decision by the European Court of Human Rights is expected to be crucial in determining the future of Modi’s extradition.
If his plea is dismissed:
- India could move forward with his extradition from the UK
- The long-pending legal battle may enter its final phase
- Modi could be brought back to India to face trial in the PNB fraud case
If allowed, however, the case could face further delays, prolonging extradition proceedings that have already spanned several years.