Fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi was denied bail for the second time by a London court on Friday.
The authorities had submitted a new file of evidence with the court ahead of Nirav’s appearance.
Toby Cadman, representing crown prosecution on behalf of Indian authorities argued in court that there was a great risk of Nirav Modi fleeing if he was granted bail. “There is a risk that he could flee, attempt to interfere with witnesses, interfere with evidence,” the prosecution said.
Giving details of Modi’s attempt to interfere with witnesses, the UK prosecutor made specific reference to one such witness who Nirav Modi “threatened to kill in a phone call” and also offered him an incentive to evade arrest.
Nirav Modi’s attorney Claire Montgomery, who had earlier represented another fugitive tycoon – former Kingfisher Airlines boss Vijay Mallya in his extradition case said that his client is not a great flight risk. “He has lived openly in the UK and made no effort to hide,” Claire added.
The case is being heard by Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, the same judge who had ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya last December.
