Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Expert tells court Nirav Modi suffers from depression, has family history of suicide

EXPERTS told a UK court hearing arguments in the extradition case of Nirav Modi on Thursday (10) that the fugitive diamantaire had a family history of suicide, and that his mental health in prison would deteriorate in solitary confinement.

Justice Samuel Goozee at London's Westminster Magistrate’s Court was presented with three defence witnesses on day four of the five-day hearing, with each giving expert views on the 49-year-old jeweller's severe depression, risk from Covid-19 and the lack of adequate facilities at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai where he would be held on being extradited.


"Coupled with a severe condition of depression, in my view, he presents a high risk of suicide albeit not immediately," said Dr Andrew Forrester, a forensic psychiatrist who has examined Modi on four occasions between September last year and August this year.

Referring to the "suicide of his mother", Dr Forrester stressed that family history was a "significant feature" as Modi’s mental health condition was on a deteriorating, and met the criteria for hospital treatment in the absence of a multi-professional plan involving anti-depressants and psychotherapy.

He added that Modi was currently on anti-depressants, and the lack of supportive therapy or counselling due to Covid-19 restrictions in prison was leading to psychomotor retardation, a more severe form of depression which involves a manifest slowing down in movement and speech.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) -- appearing on behalf of the Indian authorities in the £1.55-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud and money laundering case -- argued that the conditions at Barrack 12 in Arthur Road Jail would be better than those Modi was currently facing with in a locked-down Wandsworth Prison cell.

"If by contrast, he was given full access to multi-professional mental health care, better than he is currently getting at Wandsworth, would that assurance be helpful?” asked CPS barrister Helen Malcolm.

Forrester agreed to take that into account and discuss Modi’s treatment with any medical professionals appointed in India. He also dismissed the possibility of Modi "faking his symptoms" to deceive the court.

His testimony in court followed live videolink evidence from Thailand by Richard Coker, an emeritus professor at London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and an expert in epidemiology and infectious disease, in support of defence arguments over the high Covid-19 risk Modi would be exposed to at Arthur Road Jail – which had an outbreak in May.

While the Indian government had earlier submitted data to highlight that the outbreak has been fully contained, Coker countered: "Covid spreads extremely effectively through prisons... and the risk increases if community prevalence of disease is high."

He assessed a 0.75 per cent risk of death should Modi contract Covid-19 at Arthur Road Jail, a figure the CPS sought to compare with other infectious diseases such as malaria.

"There is an equal possibility of bringing [Covid-19] into this courtroom, unwittingly,” said Malcolm, in reference to the risk factor from coronavirus in the wider community.

Better ventilation and space at the Indian jail was also highlighted as a positive, compared with the overcrowded setting at Wandsworth Prison in London.

Inadequate prison conditions once again remained at the heart of the defence arguments as they also deposed Dr Alan Mitchell, a medical practitioner and prisons expert as chair of the Independent Prisons Monitoring Group in Scotland.

Mitchell, who has in the past given evidence on the unsuitability of Barrack 12 in the extradition case of Kingfisher Airlines boss Vijay Mallya, reiterated some of his concerns around the lack of natural lighting.

Asked about the Indian government’s latest video of the Barrack played in court earlier in the week, he said: "Those are the elements you don’t pick up in a video."

Meanwhile, Modi continued to observe the proceedings via videolink and referred to files laid out before him.

The CPS must establish a prima facie case against Modi to allow the judge to rule that he has a case to answer before the Indian courts. If the judge finds a prima facie case against Modi, it will go to Home Secretary Priti Patel to formally certify his extradition to India to stand trial.

A ruling in the case is not expected before the end of this year or early next year, with a hearing for final submissions tentatively scheduled for December 1.

More For You

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less