May 9, 2019
Nirav Modi’s third bail application denied by UK court
May 9, 2019
Jeweller Nirav Modi was denied bail for the third time by Westminster Magistrates Court in London, UK, at his hearing on May 8.
Modi, accused of fraud at the Punjab National Bank, was denied bail yet again on Wednesday, the Press Trust of India Reported. Modi attended the bail hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court. The court’s Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot heard Modi’s bail plea but dismissed it on the grounds that Modi was a flight risk.
For the third and final bail hearing, Modi’s defence team increased the proposed bail security to £2 million (Rs 18 crore) from the previous proposal of £1 million. The team also proposed that Modi could stay under 24-hour curfew in his London residence.
"Conditions in Wandsworth are unliveable... Nirav is willing to abide by any conditions you choose to impose," Modi’s barrister Clare Montgomery told the judge.
"This is a large fraud and the doubling of security to two million pounds is not enough to cover a combination of concerns that he would fail to surrender," replied Judge Arbuthnot.
Modi was denied bail at his first hearing by District Judge Marie Mallon on May 20 and again at his second on March 29 by Chief Magistrate Arbuthnot. Only three bail applications are allowed under UK law. Modi has been held in Wandsworth prison since his arrest in London.
Indian authorities are working to secure Modi’s extradition to India to stand trial for his alleged fraud at the PNB. Modi’s uncle and fellow accused, Mehul Choksi, is currently residing in Antigua and Indian authorities are also working to extradite him to India despite his continued pleas of innocence.
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