Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel claims India refused illegal migrant returns over stalled Nirav Modi extradition

Priti Patel: India Blocked Migrant Returns Over Nirav Modi Extradition

Theindiapostdaily.com – Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has revealed that India refused to accept illegal migrants from Britain due to delays in extraditing diamond tycoon Nirav Modi. The former British Home Secretary suggested that New Delhi’s reluctance to take back undocumented immigrants is directly connected to London’s failure to send Modi back to India. According to Patel, the Indian government declined to receive failed asylum seekers because Modi remains detained at Pentonville prison in London despite his conviction.

Podcast Discussion Highlights

These significant claims were made during an episode of “Diamond King,” a comprehensive four-part documentary series that explores Modi’s remarkable rise to wealth and his subsequent dramatic fall from grace. The podcast, featuring Daily Telegraph journalists Rob Mendick and Mick Brown who first discovered Modi living openly in London in 2019, is scheduled for release on July 31. Patel, who served as home secretary from 2019 to 2022 as a Conservative Party politician, played a key role in authorizing Modi’s extradition proceedings in 2021.

Speaking candidly on the program, the former UK Home Secretary expressed genuine surprise that the controversial businessman continues to live in Britain after years of legal proceedings. She described the situation as frustrating for both countries, noting that India had been patient but increasingly impatient with the prolonged delay.

India’s Migration Policy Response

The former minister disclosed that Indian officials felt “hugely angry” about London’s hesitation to deport Modi promptly. Additionally, she noted that the Indian government had “really pushed back” against accepting Indians who were unlawfully staying in the United Kingdom during this period. This diplomatic tension created complications for bilateral migration agreements.

“I had a hell of a challenge getting them [India] to sign off on receiving failed asylum seekers… and I’m convinced it’s because we had this high-profile case [of Nirav Modi] and we had another high-profile case at the time and until they [India] saw action and movement on those, guess what, they had some leverage over us, which was terribly frustrating,” she explained.

Patel further commented on the situation, stating that if Britain’s procedures were more efficient, Modi would not be present in the country. She added that his continued presence likely demoralizes Indian authorities regarding future cooperation on migration and extradition matters. The former UK Home Secretary emphasized that India needed to see tangible progress before committing to accept more migrants.

Modi’s Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The 55-year-old businessman continues to be held at Pentonville prison facing accusations of a $2 billion fraud involving Punjab National Bank, alongside money laundering charges brought by the Enforcement Directorate. He also faces allegations of tampering with evidence and witnesses during Central Bureau of Investigation proceedings. Observers view his transfer as imminent following the exhaustion of all available legal avenues in Britain and a failed appeal at the European Court of Human Rights located in France.

“[Nirav] Modi should be in prison… in India and serving his time there, having gone through a legal process, which is exactly what UK extradition laws and treaties are about,” Patel stated. “It’s a flagrant abuse of our system. I mean, that’s the only way to describe this. It really is. And you know, it’s an insult to British taxpayers as well.”

Multiple postponements in the extradition process resulted from various High Court appeals based on human rights considerations, coupled with a separate confidential political asylum application. Following the rejection of his asylum request, Modi sought to revive his extradition case, though the High Court of England dismissed this effort in March 2026. The former UK Home Secretary believes these delays have damaged trust between the two nations.

“If our system were judicious and doing the right thing, rather than tying itself up in process and excuses, he should not be in this country,” Patel remarked. “I’m actually pretty appalled and horrified that he’s still here, and I have to say, I suspect that really makes the India government feel quite demoralised about even working with us.”

(With PTI inputs)