A London court has granted an adjournment in an unrelated Bank of India unpaid loan case involving fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, pushing the trial to March 23, 2026. The decision came after UK prison authorities failed to provide timely access to key legal documents needed for Modi’s defence. The case concerns an unpaid loan of approximately USD 8 million.

Justice Simon Tinkler ruled that proceeding with the trial as scheduled in January would be unfair, given the missing disclosure bundle and ongoing administrative delays. The judge acknowledged that the absence of crucial paperwork placed Modi at a significant disadvantage. However, the court rejected a longer delay until October, opting instead for a limited adjournment of a few weeks.

Modi, who is currently contesting extradition to India in the high-profile USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank fraud case, was moved from Thameside Prison to HMP Pentonville in October. The transfer, intended to facilitate High Court appearances, has reportedly caused further complications in accessing legal materials. Prison authorities were reminded of their obligation to ensure adequate preparation for a prisoner’s defence.

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Representing himself as a “litigant in person,” Modi is the sole witness in the Bank of India case after missing the deadline to appoint an Indian law expert. His barrister, James Kinman, argued that recent media reports failed to reflect the complexity of a “confidential process” said to be delaying extradition, widely believed to involve an asylum application. Kinman suggested extradition is unlikely before October 2026.

Bank of India’s counsel, Tom Beasley, opposed a lengthy adjournment, warning that conducting a trial would become difficult if Modi were extradited out of UK jurisdiction. The bank is pursuing a personal guarantee linked to a loan issued to Firestar Diamond FZE, a Dubai-based company associated with Modi. A virtual hearing also failed to produce Modi due to a communication lapse between the court and prison officials.

Meanwhile, Modi remains incarcerated in London since his arrest in March 2019 and is reportedly sharing a cramped prison cell. His separate bid to reopen extradition proceedings—on grounds of alleged risk of torture in India—has also been adjourned to March–April 2026. Indian authorities have submitted fresh assurances, while Modi continues to face multiple criminal cases in India related to fraud, money laundering, and alleged interference with witnesses.

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