UK Court Comes Down Heavily On Congress Leader Abhay Thipsay For Testifying In Support Of Fugitive Nirav Modi Without Disclosing His Political Affiliation

The UK court, which permitted extradition of fugitive diamantarie Nirav Modi, made scathing remarks against Congress party's Abhay Thipsay (a former HC judge).

In giving testimony in favour of Nirav Modi, Thipsay "never disclosed his party-political affiliation" or "any potential conflict of interests", the court observed.

Nirav Modi on Thursday (25 February) lost his legal battle against extradition to India with a judge in a UK court ruling that he does have a case to answer before Indian courts. The UK court ruled that Nirav Modi can be extradited to India.

During the extradition proceedings, Abhay Thipsay, a retired judge turned Congress leader and a close confidante of Rahul Gandhi, had informed a London court via video link that the charges levelled by Nirav Modi which include criminal conspiracy, cheating and dishonestly inducting delivery of property — would not stand scrutiny under Indian law.

Thipsay, who tested via videolink, claimed that under Indian law some of the police statements in the case against Nirav Modi as well as the definition of deception will be “inadmissible” under Indian law.

Thipsay, who has served in the Bombay and Allahabad high courts and joined Congress party during the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha election, was appearing on behalf of Nirav Modi who has challenged the Indian government's extradition request for him.