Nadeem formally committed to trial, bail amount reduced

Nadeem, who pleaded that he was innocent of the charges, said he would immediately move the high court here against the ruling.

Nadeem is accused of murdering and conspiring to murder music producer Gulshan Kumar in August 1997. Mohammed Ali Shaikh, a key prosecution witness, made a statement in a Mumbai magistrate8217;s court confessing to being involved in a conspiracy. He later retracted the confession in a writ petition, claiming that it was obtained by means of intimidation and torture and was totally false.

In hisearlier ruling the Bow Street Magistrate said, 8220;I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to justify a committal8221; of Nadeem on the charges set out.

8220;A properly directed tribunal could find Ali Shaikh8217;s original evidence capable of belief,8221; the magistrate ruled.

Clive Nicholls, counsel for Nadeem said in extradition case the question of bail did not arise. Pleading that the deposit of 200,000 pound made earlier for Nadeem8217;s bail be released, Nicholls said there was zero risk8217; of Nadeem absconding from Britain as he wanted to fight his case here.

On his plea, the magistrate reduced the surety amount. A city businessman stood surety for Nadeem.