Fugitive businessman Nirav Modi has claimed that his legal fight against the Bank of India is an unfair battle, comparing it to a “David vs Goliath” situation. The bank is pursuing him for $8.4 million (approximately ₹73.4 crore), but Nirav insists he does not owe them any money.
Nirav Claims Unfair Trial Due to Lack of Internet Access
Nirav, who is currently in Thameside Prison in Britain, appeared before the London Circuit Commercial Court via video link on Thursday. He argued that he is unable to properly defend himself because he does not have access to a laptop or the Internet. The 54-year-old businessman, representing himself without a lawyer, claimed that if the case proceeds, it would violate his right to a fair trial.
“The bank has tanks and missiles, and I only have wooden sticks,” Nirav told the court, emphasizing his disadvantage. He also alleged that Indian authorities had seized his servers, leaving him with no access to important documents. Additionally, he feared facing further criminal charges if he tried to obtain witness statements for his defense.
Bank of India’s Case Against Nirav Modi
The Bank of India had previously secured a summary judgment against Nirav’s company, Firestar Diamond FZE, in Dubai in March 2024. The judgment was for $8.4 million related to the non-payment of a $15 million (₹131 crore) loan that Firestar took out in 2012. The bank terminated the loan in 2018, following Nirav’s alleged involvement in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, but the loan has not been repaid.
The bank is now pursuing Nirav personally, claiming he had given a personal guarantee for the loan. However, Nirav disputes this and has requested a forensic examination of the original loan documents to verify his signature.
Court Orders Bank to Provide Documents
Judge David Bailey KC adjourned Nirav’s request to halt the case until the pre-trial review in September 2025. However, he ordered the Bank of India to allow Nirav to inspect the three original loan documents. The bank was also instructed to provide him with:
- Hard copies of the disclosed documents
- A hard copy of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR)
- A guidebook for litigants representing themselves
Bank of India Denies Loan Repayment Claims
During the hearing, Nirav questioned Bank of India’s lawyer, Tom Beasley, about whether the loan had already been repaid. He referred to a statement by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) in September 2024, which claimed that ₹1,024 crore had been recovered and distributed among the banks.
Beasley firmly denied this, stating: “We have not been paid. If we had, we would not be here.”
Nirav Modi’s Ongoing Legal Troubles
Nirav Modi remains in custody in the UK, awaiting extradition to India where he faces serious criminal charges related to the PNB scam. Judge Bailey noted that Nirav is also involved in other legal proceedings, including:
- US bankruptcy cases
- “Trust proceedings” in the High Court
- Confidential proceedings that will continue until late 2026
The main trial on whether Nirav owes the Bank of India the disputed amount is scheduled to take place in the London High Court in January 2026. Until then, the legal battle continues.
