Officers from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have reached London just before the hearing in fugitive Nirav Modi’s case.

The UK High Court is expected to hear fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi’s appeal today which he has filed on grounds of mental health and human rights.

Read: Nirav Modi’s plea on fraud allegations rejected by UK court

Sources in ED and CBI have told India Today that this is an effort by Nirav Modi to avoid his extradition to India.

The UK court in August 2021 had granted permission to Nirav Nodi to appeal against his extradition from London to India. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are facing charges of defrauding Punjab National Bank of Rs 11,000 crore.

The recent appeal of Nirav Modi is on the grounds that he will be at risk of committing suicide if he is sent to India and lodged in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail. He has also alleged that the jails in India are not equipped with good medical facilities.

Nirav Modi has been in Wandsworth Prison in London since March 2019 on the basis of a Red Notice issued by the Interpol on the request of Indian investigative agencies.

Read: Nirav Modi’s brother-in-law agrees to share details of assets, court cancels warrants

Sources say, officers from CBI and ED would assist the Crown Prosecution Service which is representing the Indian Government before the UK courts.

India Today has learnt that the officers have also carried evidence to counter Nirav Modi’s allegations before the court