Nirav Modi demands laptop in UK jail

Accused jeweller Nirav Modi has asked for a laptop from which to review the over 5,000 pages of evidence against him prepared by the Indian government as he is held in a UK jail.

Modi hopes to be granted access to a laptop (with no internet access) before his first extradition case management hearing scheduled for July 29, TNN reported. Modi’s reasoning is that he needs time to review the large amount of evidence the Indian government has formed against him, as part of the Punjab National Bank fraud case in which he is accused of one of the largest-scale frauds in India’s banking history.

“India has served more than 5,000 pages of evidence on us,” said Modi’s barrister Jessica Jones at his recent UK court hearing on June 27.

“It is very difficult in the short visits we have at the prison to take instructions from our client on this. On July 29 there are directions for him to appear in person before the court but we have made repeated contact with the prison asking them to provide him with a laptop preloaded with the papers and been met with absolute silence.”

During the hearing, Judge Jonathan Radway said to Modi concerning the laptop, “I very much hope that arrangements can be made.”

Although the judge said that Modi would have a full working day to review the documents on July 25 ahead of the hearing even without a laptop, Modi’s barrister said that was not ample time to form a case.

Modi has been remanded in custody until July 25 when he will appear again before the court via video link to re-evaluate the situation. His three bail pleas and high court appeal have all been denied as judges thought there was too great a risk he would attempt to escape, even if strict provisions were to be made.

Nirav Modi demands laptop in UK jail

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