Nirav Modi threatens UK court: An accused fugitive diamond merchant, Nirav Modi who was involved in the PNB fraud case, yet again felt the setback in UK court. His bail plea was again rejected by the court on Wednesday. Despite offering an “unprecedented bail package”, no one heard his voice.
The accused was fighting extradition to India on charges of USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank fraud and some charges of money laundering case. He was produced before Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for his fourth attempt at bail.
His bail plea was again rejected and was sent back to Wandsworth prison in south-west London. Further, he will next appear via video link before the same court on 4th December. His Barrister Hugo Keith claimed that he was beaten twice in the prison.
Referring to the reports of Nirav’s depression, he said, “Just after 9 am yesterday, two inmates entered his cell and while holding the door shut, punched him, pushed him to the floor, kicked him and made extortion attempts on him whilst he was on the phone to a colleague. It was a targeted attack probably brought about by the renewed media coverage [of the case]”.
After that Nirav’s request to increase the security was also rejected and was also not allowed to see a counselor.
“The past is a prediction of what might happen in the future,” said Judge Arbuthnot, as she concluded by saying that “I am unconvinced that he would not interfere with witnesses or fail to surrender before the court for his trial in May 2020”. Also, she noted that the confirmation that Modi is suffering from “depression” is not such that it would influence her to change her previous ruling to deny the bail.
In the statement shared in court, Nirav said that “he would kill himself if extradition orders were passed. And also that he would not get a chance for a free and fair trial in India”.
Nirav Modi’s barrister, Hugo Keith, in lieu to sort out the situation for his client argued to change the status of security offered by the court. And in return, he will pay double the amount that he was paying for the security, from the previous 2 million pounds to 4 million pounds. He also demanded a privately-paid guard service to ensure constant monitoring with electronic tagging.
Nirav Modi has been behind bars at Wandsworth prison since he was first arrested on March 19 on an extradition warrant initiated by Scotland Yard on charges brought by the Indian government.
His next appearing will be on 4th December via video link, and further, the extradition plan will be initiated between May 11 and 15, 2020. Till then he will appear in front of the court in every 28 days via video link.