Fugitive Nirav Modi’s fresh bail application has been rejected by a UK court.

The decision of chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot came after Toby Cadman, the barrister appearing for the Crown Prosecution Service on behalf of the Indian authorities, contended that Nirav could interfere with witnesses and destroy evidence.

He said Nirav had made a phone call to one witness, Ashish Lad, and had “threatened to kill him”. This had been coupled with an offer of Rs 20 lakh for Lad to supply false evidence.

Given the nature of his business, Nirav had in his possession “diamonds, gold and pearls”.

Arbuthnot asked: “Of substantial value?”

Cadman nodded: “Of substantial value.”

Nirav had applied for the citizenship in the Pacific island of Vanuatu in 2017 by offering $200,000 as a high value individual.