Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
India

Nirav Modi Has 3 Passports, Residency Cards In UAE, Singapore, UK Court Told

IANS, 20 Mar, 2019 07:22 PM

    Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, arrested by Scotland Yard on behalf of the Indian authorities, was in possession of three passports, it emerged when he was produced before the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Wednesday.


    The 48-year-old's defence team, led by barrister George Hepburne Scott, told the court about the existence of the multiple travel documents during his plea for bail, which was rejected by District Judge Marie Mallon.


    The passports, since revoked by the Indian authorities, include one now in possession of the Metropolitan Police, a second expired passport lying with the UK Home Office and a third with the UK's Driving and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA).


    Besides the passports, the court was told that Nirav Modi possessed multiple residency cards, some of them expired, but covering countries/regions such as the UAE, Singapore and Hong Kong.


    "He is the opposite of a flight risk and demonstrably so, given his keenness to fully cooperate with the [UK] authorities," claimed Mr Scott, while offering to surrender all residency and travel documents.


    It remained unclear how Nirav Modi, wanted on fraud and money laundering charges amounting to USD 2 billion, came to be in possession of multiple passports.


    In her decision to turn down Nirav Modi's bail plea, the judge noted that he possessed the "means" to acquire further travel documents and therefore there are "substantial grounds" to believe he may not surrender before the court if granted bail.


    The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing the case for his extradition to face the Indian justice system on behalf of the Indian government, had strongly opposed bail because Nirav Modi had "deliberately evaded justice" and not returned to India despite a series of criminal summons issued by Indian courts.


    Nirav Modi's defence team, which includes Anand Doobay of Boutique Law - also the representative in the extradition case of liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya, argued that their client arrived in the UK in January 2018 before any allegations had emerged in India. He has since been living in London "lawfully" and his son has been studying at school in the city for five years.


    It was claimed he arrived in the UK for an initial public offering (IPO) of his business and plans for his brand headquarters to be based in London. He has since been based in London while being employed by Diamond Holdings for 20,000 pounds a month and also pursuing educational courses.


    "The allegations in India arose in an unusual way...leading him to engage lawyers in the UK, who have been in contact with the extradition squad of Scotland Yard since February 2018," Mr Scott said, adding that his legal team has since repeatedly informed the UK authorities that he is "keen to fully cooperate" in any extradition matters.


    It was claimed that the tacit arrangements being struck between Boutique Law and Scotland Yard were thrown awry due to the "widespread publicity" of the case worldwide and Nirav Modi was arrested as he tried to open a bank account in London.


    "He is in possession of a wealth of material in support of his case... and intends to make comprehensive arguments against the allegations, including that of political motivation and human rights," Mr Scott noted.

     

    Despite long-drawn arguments in support of his conduct as a tax-paying resident of London, the judge sent him to be held in custody at HMP Wandsworth prison in south London until the next hearing in the case on March 29.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Woman On Bike Hit By Vehicle, Falls 50 Feet From Flyover In Delhi

    A 20-year-old woman, riding pillion, was injured on Monday after she fell from a height of 50 feet from west Delhi's Vikaspuri flyover when an unidentified vehicle hit the rear of the motorcycle, police said.

    Woman On Bike Hit By Vehicle, Falls 50 Feet From Flyover In Delhi

    Can't Do A Miracle, Members Should Strengthen Congress: Priyanka Gandhi

    Can't Do A Miracle, Members Should Strengthen Congress: Priyanka Gandhi
    The Congress is trying to revive itself in the state where it faces a challenge from the Bharatiya Janata Party as well as an alliance of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.  

    Can't Do A Miracle, Members Should Strengthen Congress: Priyanka Gandhi

    Punjab Extends Time Period Of Granting Plot Reservation To 1984 Victims

    The time limit of the policy that expired on December 31, 2016, has been extended till the end of December 2021, an official release said.  

    Punjab Extends Time Period Of Granting Plot Reservation To 1984 Victims

    Senior Punjab Cop Paramraj Singh Umrananga Arrested Over Behbal Kalan Firing On Anti-Sacrilege Agitators

    Two people were killed in police firing in Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura areas in Faridkot district in October 2015.

    Senior Punjab Cop Paramraj Singh Umrananga Arrested Over Behbal Kalan Firing On Anti-Sacrilege Agitators

    Navjot Sidhu Tries To Give Chase To Bikram Majithia As War Of Words Turns Ugly

    There was high drama in the Punjab Assembly on Monday as Local Bodies Minister Navjot Sidhu tried to give chase to Akali MLA Bikram Majithia after the war of words between the two turned ugly.

    Navjot Sidhu Tries To Give Chase To Bikram Majithia As War Of Words Turns Ugly

    Time For Dialogue With Islamabad Over: Modi

    Time For Dialogue With Islamabad Over: Modi
    I and President Macri agree with the view that terrorism is a serious danger to world’s peace and stability

    Time For Dialogue With Islamabad Over: Modi