#NiravModiExtradition: London court rejects fugitive Nirav Modi's second bail plea
The Westminster Magistrates' Court in London has once again denied bail to fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi wanted in the Rs. 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank scam. The next hearing is scheduled for 26 April. Before the hearing on his second bail plea, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service, on behalf of Indian authorities, submitted a fresh file with additional evidence against him. Here are more details.
Crown Prosecution Service warned Nirav might flee if granted bail
The UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was representing the Indian authorities in the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London. The CPS had also argued in the court that there is a "great risk" that Nirav Modi will flee if he is given bail. "There is a real risk that he could flee, interfere with witnesses, interfere with evidence," the prosecution said.
'Nirav Modi isn't cooperating with Indian agencies'
Toby Cadman, who was representing Crown Prosecution Service in final submission at the Westminster Magistrates' Court, was quoted by ANI as saying, "Nirav Modi isn't cooperating with Indian agencies & there's risk he'll fly out. There's risk that he'll influence witnesses & destroy evidence."
There's risk that he'll influence witnesses, destroy evidence: Prosecutor
Nirav Modi threatened to kill, tried to bribe witnesses: Prosecutors
The CPS also told the London court during the hearing that Nirav Modi had threatened to kill an eyewitness and offered to bribe another witness to avoid arrest. The CPS has opposed Nirav Modi's bail application in the court.
A joint ED-CBI team in London for the hearing
India earlier requested the extradition of Nirav Modi. He along with his uncle, Mehul Choksi, is accused of defrauding the Punjab National Bank of over Rs. 13,500 crore through fraudulent transactions allegedly with the help of some employees of the state-run bank. A joint team of the country's Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) earlier reached London for Modi's hearing.
Agencies have enough evidence: Indian official
"Agencies have enough evidence against Nirav Modi, the (CPS) Crown Prosecution Service in London is likely to oppose Nirav Modi's bail application on March 29," said one of the joint directors of the joint ED-CBI team in London earlier.
Nirav Modi's first bail plea rejected by the court
Nirav Modi appeared before the Westminster Magistrates' Court to apply for bail for the second time after the court rejected his first bail plea on 20 March. After his arrest by Scotland Yard on 19 March in London, the 48-year-old submitted a bail plea to the court, which was denied. Following his arrest, he has been in custody at south-west London's HM Prison Wandsworth.
Hearing presided over by same judge who ordered Mallya's extradition
Notably, Nirav Modi's second bail plea was reportedly heard by Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, who had ordered the extradition of fugitive economic offender Vijay Mallya in December 2018. Modi's first bail application was denied by District Judge Marie Mallon.
