Nirav to remain in jail, next hearing on Jan 30

London/New Delhi Diamantaire Nirav Modi, the key accused in the Rs14,000-crore fraud at Punjab National Bank, was on Thursday remanded to further custody by a UK

London/New Delhi Diamantaire Nirav Modi, the key accused in the Rs14,000-crore fraud at Punjab National Bank, was on Thursday remanded to further custody by a UK court and directed to appear before it again on January 30.

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Modi, who is fighting extradition to India, appeared for a “call-over” appearance via video conference from London’s Wandsworth prison for the hearing at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court. His extradition trial is scheduled for May 11.

Deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram, who was the judge at the hearing, asked if there were any other issues to be discussed and Modi said no.

Modi, 48, filed a bail application last November with a house arrest guarantee, similar to those imposed on terror suspects, and cited mental health issues that he said were linked to his stint at Wandsworth Prison. The petition was turned down by chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot over fears of witness intimidation and failure to surrender for his extradition trial.

UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is representing the Indian government in the extradition proceedings, has said there is no possibility of an appeal for bail in a higher court after the high court turned down Modi’s plea last year.

Modi has to appear for the “call-over” hearings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court until case management hearings for his extradition begin. He has denied charges of fraud and money laundering, and his defence team has alleged the Indian government has wrongly tarnished his name.

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