Fugitive Nirav Modi's Brother, Nehal Modi, Arrested In US Based On India's Extradition Request

Nehal Modi, brother of fugitive Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the US on an extradition request made by India. The arrest is a major step forward in India's crackdown on the Rs. 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. Nehal is ‘wanted’ in India in connection with the multi-billion-dollar PNB case, one of the largest banking scams in India’s history.

Nehal Modi (L), Credit- Viral on X; Nirav Modi (R), Credit- ANI

Nehal Modi, the brother of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the United States based on an extradition request made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The arrest is a key development in India's crackdown on the Rs. 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. 

The news agency ANI reported, citing officials who are familiar with the matter, that the United States Department of Justice informed the Indian authorities that the brother of fugitive economic offender Nirav Modi was arrested by the US authorities on July 4, 2025.

Nehal Modi, the brother of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, has been arrested in the United States on the basis of an extradition request made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED): Officials pic.twitter.com/kFJQt0KEEN — ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2025

ANI quoted the officials as saying, “The arrest has been made pursuant to an extradition request jointly submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).”

As per the complaint filed by the US prosecution, extradition proceedings are being pursued on two counts- one count of money laundering under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and one count of criminal conspiracy under Sections 120-B and 201 of the Indian Penal Code.

Who Is Nehal Modi? 

Nehal Modi is ‘wanted’ in India in connection with the multi-billion-dollar PNB fraud case, one of the largest banking scams in the history of India.

The investigations by the Indian probe agencies, ED and CBI, have revealed that Nehal Modi played a significant role in the laundering of proceeds of crime on behalf of fugitive Nirav Modi. 

Furthermore, Nehal Modi is alleged to have assisted in concealing and transferring large sums of illicit funds through a web of shell companies and overseas transactions, in violation of Indian laws.

Meanwhile, Nirav Modi is also facing extradition from the United Kingdom. 

Nehal Modi In US Court 

The next date of hearing in the extradition proceedings is scheduled for July 17, 2025, when a status conference will be held. The officials also told ANI that Nehal Modi may apply for bail during this hearing, which the US prosecution would oppose.

PNB Fraud Case

Nirav Modi is the alleged mastermind of $1 billion fraud against PNB. He was arrested by Scotland Yard on March 19, 2019, on the basis of an arrest request made to the UK government based on non-bailable warrants issued by an Indian court, as per IANS.

The money laundering case against fugitive Nirav Modi and his associates was recorded by the ED in Mumbai on February 14, 2018, based on an FIR registered by the CBI in Mumbai.

As part of the investigation under the PMLA, the ED has been able to trace assets/properties worth Rs. 2,626.62 crore in India and abroad and, thus, attached these identified assets.

(with agencies’ inputs)