Why is UK safe haven for Indian diamond tycoon wanted for £1.5bm fraud?
Nirav Modi (47), a billionaire designer jeweller whose designs have been worn by the actress Kate Winslet and Naomi Watts, is believed to have stayed in his flat above his Mayfair store in Old Bond Street and used the UK as a “safe haven” while he was sought by law enforcement agencies in Delhi. Last week the store was closed. Kate Winslet wore Modi’s jewellery at the 2016 Oscars and his advertising campaign have been fronted by British model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
How will the authorities in the UK feel if a fraudster defrauded billions in the UK and escape to India and allowed to travel without any action from law enforcement agency?
Indian officials are furious that Modi has been able to travel in and out of Britain at least four times since his passport was revoked on February 23rd, 2018. He is the third wealthy businessman in recent years to use London as a bolthole despite being wanted over alleged financial irregularities.
Although Indian authorities contacted both Interpol and the UK government, the official records reveal Modi travelled from Heathrow to Hong Kong on March 15, and from New York to Heathrow on March 28. Three days later, he flew from London to Paris and on June 12, Modi is thought to have boarded the Eurostar from London to Brussels.
Unconfirmed reports claim that Modi has applied for asylum in the UK.
The Home Office and Border Security Force declined to comment on individual cases.