UK court denies bail to Nirav Modi, judge cites ‘substantial risk’

Fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, currently held in a London prison, faced another setback on Tuesday as his new bail application was rejected by a UK judge who cited a “substantial risk” that he would abscond justice.

Nirav Modi, declared a ‘fugitive economic offender’ in India, is accused along with his uncle Mehul Choksi of orchestrating a massive fraud worth Rs 14,000 crore through fraudulent credit facilities from the Punjab National Bank. Despite losing his extradition battle to India, Nirav Modi remains incarcerated in a London prison.

During the bail hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, Judge Zani stated, “I am satisfied that there remain substantial grounds agai

Fugitive businessman Nirav Modi, currently held in a London prison, faced another setback on Tuesday as his new bail application was rejected by a UK judge who cited a “substantial risk” that he would abscond justice.

Nirav Modi, declared a ‘fugitive economic offender’ in India, is accused along with his uncle Mehul Choksi of orchestrating a massive fraud worth Rs 14,000 crore through fraudulent credit facilities from the Punjab National Bank. Despite losing his extradition battle to India, Nirav Modi remains incarcerated in a London prison.

During the bail hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, Judge Zani stated, “I am satisfied that there remain substantial grounds against bail. There continues to be a real, substantial risk that the applicant [Nirav Modi] would fail to attend court or interfere with witnesses.” The judge emphasised the gravity of the fraud allegations, deeming them too serious to justify granting bail.

Nirav Modi did not appear in court for the hearing, but his son and two daughters represented him. The judge’s decision was delivered after a brief hearing, wherein he acknowledged the presence of a joint Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) team from India observing the proceedings.

In India, three sets of criminal proceedings are underway against Nirav Modi, including a CBI case related to the Punjab National Bank fraud, an ED case concerning alleged money laundering, and additional proceedings involving accusations of evidence tampering and witness interference in the CBI investigation.

Nirav Modi was arrested on an extradition warrant in March 2019 and subsequently faced extradition orders approved by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in April 2021. Despite exhausting legal avenues, including appeals up to the Supreme Court, Nirav Modi’s bail applications in the UK have been repeatedly denied, with the latest bid involving a substantial security offer of up to GBP 4 million rejected by the court in October 2020.

nst bail. There continues to be a real, substantial risk that the applicant [Nirav Modi] would fail to attend court or interfere with witnesses.” The judge emphasised the gravity of the fraud allegations, deeming them too serious to justify granting bail.

Nirav Modi did not appear in court for the hearing, but his son and two daughters represented him. The judge’s decision was delivered after a brief hearing, wherein he acknowledged the presence of a joint Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) team from India observing the proceedings.

In India, three sets of criminal proceedings are underway against Nirav Modi, including a CBI case related to the Punjab National Bank fraud, an ED case concerning alleged money laundering, and additional proceedings involving accusations of evidence tampering and witness interference in the CBI investigation.

Nirav Modi was arrested on an extradition warrant in March 2019 and subsequently faced extradition orders approved by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel in April 2021. Despite exhausting legal avenues, including appeals up to the Supreme Court, Nirav Modi’s bail applications in the UK have been repeatedly denied, with the latest bid involving a substantial security offer of up to GBP 4 million rejected by the court in October 2020.