New Delhi, July 5, 2025 - The brother of Nirav Modi, one of India’s most wanted economic fugitives, has been arrested in the United States. Nehal Modi was taken into custody after an extradition request from the Indian government, as part of the ongoing investigation into the massive Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Nehal Modi is accused of helping his brother Nirav Modi escape from India and hide key evidence after the scam came to light in 2018. He has been under investigation by both Indian and international authorities for several years. Indian officials believe Nehal played an important role in destroying digital records, moving illegal money, and helping Nirav stay out of reach.

According to Indian investigative agencies, Nehal was handling back-end operations for Nirav Modi’s companies. He allegedly moved valuable documents and electronic devices from Dubai to Hong Kong and other locations to prevent Indian authorities from finding them. He is also believed to have managed secret bank accounts and transactions related to the scam.

The Punjab National Bank scam, which broke out in 2018, involved fraudulent letters of credit issued to Nirav Modi’s companies. The scam is said to be worth more than ₹13,000 crore (over $1.5 billion), making it one of the biggest banking frauds in Indian history.

Nirav Modi himself is currently in a UK jail, fighting his own extradition to India. British courts have already cleared his extradition, but the final decision is still pending due to his appeals. Indian authorities are hoping that the arrest of Nehal Modi in the US will speed up the legal process and bring both brothers back to face trial.

Indian officials had requested Nehal’s extradition some time ago. After reviewing the charges and evidence provided by India, US authorities agreed to arrest him under their legal treaty with India. He will now face a court in the United States, where the extradition process will move forward.

If the US court agrees, Nehal Modi could be sent back to India in the coming months to stand trial under Indian law. He faces charges under money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence.

The Indian government has welcomed this development. Officials said it shows that India is serious about bringing back fugitives who escape after committing crimes. They also believe it will send a strong message to other economic offenders.

Experts say that catching Nehal Modi is a big win for Indian investigators, but it’s just one step. “The goal is to get all those involved in the scam to India and ensure justice is served. We also need to recover the money,” said a senior official.

With this arrest, the focus now shifts to the US courtroom, where India will present its case for extradition. If successful, it could finally bring Nehal Modi to Indian soil, where he will be questioned and tried for his alleged role in one of the country’s worst financial scandals.