Nirav Modi extradition trial could be delayed until Feb 2020
Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot, presiding over Nirav’s first case management hearing on Thursday, insisted the “note” needed to be “provided in six weeks” and set July 29 for Nirav’s next case management hearing.
“On that occasion I will be expecting to fix a trial date,” Arbuthnot said.
She gave the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian government, 14 days to confirm the prison Nirav would be kept in if extradited.
Clare Montgomery QC, representing Nirav, said: “At 10.17 am today we were emailed the position statement but it is no more than recitations. It tells you nothing about what this case involves. We are told the opening note addressing the prima facie case will not be provided until the end of July. It will take six months realistically for us to get our defence ready after that. I remain in the dark about the way allegations will be put, what the allegations are and what undertakings about the prison will be. If there are no undertakings, I will be asking for a prison visit.”
Arbuthnot wanted to pencil in late November for Nirav’s trial but Montgomery said: “It’s not sensible to set directions other than those which would allow a much longer period than the current timetable.” She added the government of India “can’t comply with one month in my personal experience. I would suggest we add three months to the current dates and work towards a February hearing.”
CPS barrister Edward Martin explained: “Junior counsel and QC are in the middle of a trial so we have suggested eight weeks to serve the opening note.”
Nirav, who appeared in person, looked upbeat. He will next appear for a videolink hearing on June 27
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References
- ^ London (www.happytrips.com)
- ^ Nirav Modi (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Arbuthnot (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- ^ Crown Prosecution Service (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
from UK News Headlines, Latest UK News and Live Updates - Times of India http://bit.ly/2XiSuTw
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