Nirav Modi to make third UK bail plea

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
May 2, 2019

Jewellery tycoon Nirav Modi has decided to make a third bail plea in the UK. The bail hearing will take place on May 8 at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Modi has now decided to make another bail plea that would see him temporality released from Wandsworth prison in south-west London, UK, the Press Trust of India reported. Modi’s first two appeals for bail were dismissed and only three pleas are allowed under UK law. 

Modi stands accused of fraud at the Punjab National Bank and Indian authorities are trying to secure his extradition to India to stand trial. Modi was arrested in the UK on behalf of Indian authorities on March 19.

A UK Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson told the Press Trust of India that Modi will appear before Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London for his bail plea. Modi will have to present a case that has significant differences from his previous two attempts as per UK law and intends to use new information in the fraud case. 

At the upcoming hearing, Barrister Nick Hearn from Furnival Chambers will represent the UK Crown Prosecution Service and Modi will be represented by Clare Montgomery of Matrix Chambers. The Crown Prosecution Service is representing Indian authorities in the ongoing extradition case. 

The first case management hearing for Modi’s possible extradition has been tentatively set for May 30. However, even if UK authorities do decide to extradite Modi, the process could take a long time due to the appeal process.