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Bread market war brings two bakers to court over work permit fraud
Friday, September 24, 2021
Bakers Anandkumar Bharatkumar Modi and Keval Umit Shah at the Milimani courthouse on September 23, 2021. PHOTO | RICHARD MUGUTI | NMG
A former employee of the Festive Bakery and a director of Panafric Bakery have been accused of falsifying the cancellation of a work permit.
Anandkumar Bharatkumar Modi and Keval Umit Shah were accused on Thursday of falsifying an online application asking the Immigration Department to cancel the permit.
The prosecution, led by James Gachoka, said the two downloaded the form online, claiming it was generated and signed by the director of DPL Festive Limited, the maker of festive bread.
Mr. Gachoka told Milimani Senior Senior Magistrate Bernard Ochoi that Mr. Modi and Mr. Shah conspired to commit the crime between April 15 and July 14 in Nairobi County.
Mr. Modi, an Indian national, was separately accused of falsifying a form requesting the cancellation of his work permit on April 28, claiming that it had been signed by the director of the DPL.
commercial rivalry
The court heard that Mr. Modi and his wife had worked for Festive Bakery for a year before moving to start their own business, Panafric Bakery.
Mr. Ochoi heard that the case revolves around business competition since Mr. Shah is the director of Panafric Bakery.
Mr. Shah was tasked with submitting the request for the cancellation of false work permits to the Immigration Department.
Through their lawyer, the defendants requested to be released on reasonable bond – a cash bond of Sh 30,000.
Mr. Shah also requested his laptop, which had been confiscated by authorities for forensic examination.
“They want him returned because he is using it for commercial purposes,” their lawyer said, promising the accused would cooperate with investigators.
The prosecution did not oppose their request for release, saying they have the right to bail under article 49 of the constitution, but noted that the 30,000 shillings were not up to par. of crime.
The prosecutor also asked the court to take into account that Mr. Modi is a foreigner and that the offense involves forging documents from the immigration office.
Mr. Gachoka further asked the magistrate to order the defendants to surrender their passports to the court.
In his decision, Mr. Ochoi ordered the businessmen to post a bond of Sh 500,000.
The case will be mentioned on October 5 for the issuance of pre-trial instructions.
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