Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who has been imprisoned in the UK for over six years, has indicated that there will be "sensational developments" in his extradition case when it reopens in London next month. The 54-year-old made this statement during a separate civil hearing regarding an unpaid debt of over USD 8 million owed to the Bank of India.

Appearing before High Court Judge Simon Tinkler at the Royal Courts of Justice, Modi expressed his optimism about the upcoming hearing, stating, "They (Bank of India) refer to my extradition… I’m still here. There will be some sensational developments, and I have never used these words before."

Modi, who is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, represented himself in court. He raised concerns about his limited access to a computer and eyesight issues, which he claimed made the legal proceedings unfair. At one point, he expressed frustration, saying, "Spend one day in prison… there needs to be some basic common sense."

The Bank of India, represented by barristers Tom Beasley and Milan Kapadia, opposed Modi's request to pause the proceedings, arguing that it would delay the long-pending claim. Justice Tinkler denied Modi's application for a stay, stating that the trial is scheduled for January 2026 and that sufficient time has been allocated to address his medical needs, including access to a computer.

The UK Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Modi has applied to reopen his extradition appeal, with Indian authorities already submitting their response. A hearing is expected towards the end of November.

Modi has been in custody since his arrest in March 2019 and has faced multiple bail rejections due to concerns he poses a flight risk. He is involved in three criminal cases in India related to the PNB fraud, alleged money laundering, and witness tampering. In April 2021, the then UK Home Secretary Priti Patel approved his extradition after establishing a prima facie case against him. The upcoming hearing could significantly impact this high-profile financial scandal.