The Government on Thursday said it is still awaiting a response from Hong Kong with regard to handing over of diamond trader Nirav Modi. According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, authorities in Hong Kong have informed India that India's request is under their consideration.
“Minister of State, VK Singh has already submitted a written reply to this question in Parliament. At this stage I can only share that we have requested the Hong Kong authorities to surrender Nirav Modi based on the agreement for the surrender of fugitive offenders signed between India and Hong Kong in 1997. Our Mission in Hong Kong has informed that the Department of Justice of Hong Kong are still examining our request for Provisional Order of Arrest of Nirav Modi. We are awaiting response from the Hong Kong authorities,” Raveesh said.
Fugitive in the multi-crore PNB Scam, Modi is believed to be hiding in Hong Kong. Earlier this week, China said that it was up to Hong Kong's local administration to take a call on India's request for Modi's repatriation.
Asked whether the MEA has taken up the case of Mehul Choksi with the US, also wanted in the PNB fraud case along with Modi, Raveesh said the MEA comes into the picture only after the location of any fugitive is ascertained.