London: Ahead of the extradition hearing of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi at Westminster Court, India has assured the United Kingdom that the Fugitive Economic Offender will not be “questioned” in connection with the $2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

A written assurance or sovereign guarantee to this effect has been submitted to the UK authorities through the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). If extradited, Nirav Modi will be housed in Barrack No. 12 of Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail.

India had earlier given a similar assurance to Belgium in the Mehul Choksi case. India assured Belgium that fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi will not be held in solitary confinement if extradited and will be housed in humane conditions in line with international standards.

Last month, Nirav Modi filed a fresh application in a UK court against his extradition, according to sources.

Nirav Modi has been in a UK prison since March 2019. He and his uncle, Mehul Choksi, are accused of carrying out India’s biggest bank fraud, defrauding Punjab National Bank of nearly $2 billion.

In 2022, Nirav Modi exhausted all legal options in UK courts. In May, the UK High Court rejected his tenth bail plea, calling him a flight risk.

Recently, officials from the UK Crown Prosecution Service visited Tihar Jail to assess whether fugitives extradited from the UK would be provided with adequate facilities and amenities.