CLAIM
A viral message on Facebook and Twitter claims that fugitive billionaire Nirav Modi at a London court claimed that he did not flee, "but was asked to flee" by BJP leaders who also took a commission amounting to Rs 456 crore from him.
The viral message reads: “लंदन कोर्ट में नीरव मोदी का बड़ा बयान भागा नहीं भगाया गया ४६५ क्रॉस कमीशन लिया भाजपा के नेताओं ने”
A version of this claim went viral as a tweet from News18 India.
TRUE OR FALSE?
The claim is false, Nirav Modi made no such statement in court when he appeared on 21 March.
The News18 tweet has been morphed to make it appear as though Modi gave the statement as claimed.
The original tweet of News18 India looks something like this:
Meanwhile, according to a Reuters report from Modi's appearance in court, the absconding billionarire spoke "only to confirm his name, age and address, and that he did not agree to being extradited."
WHAT'S UP WITH NIRAV MODI?
Nirav Modi was arrested in the Holborn area of central London on Tuesday and produced in court on Wednesday, where he filed a bail application. His bail plea, however, was rejected by Westminster Magistrates’ Court and he will remain in custody till 29 March.
(Not convinced of a story you came across on social media and want it verified? Send us the details at WebQoof@TheQuint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)