A UK court has requested the assistance of the Delhi High Court to record a crucial witness statement in a civil case against fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi and his companies. The request, made under the Hague Convention, signifies cooperation between Indian and British authorities in evidence gathering.
The legal action in the UK is being pursued by the Bank of India against Nirav Modi and his companies, Firestar Diamond FZE and Firestar International Private Limited. The bank alleges that these companies, under Modi's direction, defaulted on significant loan repayments obtained through fraudulent letters of undertaking. As part of the evidence-gathering process, the UK court has identified Animesh Barua, a Bank of India manager based in Delhi, as a key witness whose testimony is considered vital to the case. Barua is believed to have handled records and transactions linked to the disputed loan facilities.
Because Barua resides within the Delhi High Court's jurisdiction, the UK court officially sent its request to the Indian authorities, aiming to record his statement locally and transmit it back to the UK. This request for judicial cooperation was made under the 1970 Hague Convention, which facilitates cross-border evidence sharing in civil and commercial matters. This legal mechanism allows courts in different countries to collaborate in collecting and exchanging testimony and documentation crucial to international business disputes.
The UK Supreme Court's King's Bench Division sent a formal judicial request to India, which was then forwarded to the Delhi High Court by the Union Law Ministry. The Delhi High Court has acknowledged the request and has begun considering the matter. To facilitate the process, the court has included the parties to the UK proceedings, including Nirav Modi, as parties to the present matter. The court clarified that this inclusion is solely for procedural convenience and does not indicate that the case is pending before the Indian court. Notices have been issued to the Central government and other concerned parties. Since Nirav Modi is currently imprisoned at HMP Thameside in London, the court directed that notice be served upon him through the Consulate General of India in the United Kingdom. The next hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2026.
Nirav Modi was arrested in London on March 19, 2019, based on an arrest request made to the UK government following non-bailable warrants issued by an Indian court. He has made multiple unsuccessful attempts to obtain bail. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has reportedly traced assets and properties worth ₹2,626.62 crore in India and abroad as part of its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
