A Milimani court has declined to allow Cheekati Narasimha Rao, a former general manager charged with stealing Sh 254 million from renowned publisher Malkiat Singh, from traveling to India for specialist treatment.
Principal Magistrate Caroline Nyaguthii dismissed the application, stating that Rao failed to prove he could not receive the same treatment in Kenya.
She noted that Rao had not presented any evidence to demonstrate he required specialized treatment in India, as his last documented hospital visit in Kenya was eight months ago.
“I have considered the rival submissions by lawyer Kimani Wachira for Malkiat Singh that the accused is merely hoodwinking the court to permit him to travel to India to seek treatment which is available in Kenya,” Nyaguthii stated.
She added that the complainant had proven that the accused might abscond if allowed to leave the country, since Kenya has no extradition treaty with India.
“If this court allows Rao to travel, he might never be traced and repatriated back to Kenya to face justice,” ruled Nyaguthii.
The magistrate further noted that even though Rao had offered to deposit an additional Sh 500,000 to his existing cash bail, this did not guarantee his return to Kenya to face charges.
The court also rejected Rao’s claim that he needed to visit his ailing father in India, citing lack of evidence, including failure to present a birth certificate to prove the relationship.
Nyaguthii observed the “change of tune” by the investigating officer who had withdrawn an affidavit opposing the release of the passport.
She also noted that the immigration department had previously obtained orders preventing the accused from traveling outside the country.
The magistrate concurred with Singh’s lawyer that Rao had not presented any evidence of the vast investments he claimed to have in Kenya.
Rao has denied stealing Ksh 254,461,768 between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2024, within Nairobi County while employed at Printing Services Limited.
He was also charged with forging Malkiat Singh Dhillon‘s signature on April 1, 2010, in an attempt to falsely promote himself to Managing Director of the company.
