Three directors of United Millers Limited based in Kisumu have denied seven counts of defrauding a businessman BN Kotecha and Sons Limited Sh79,471,000 in a sugar deal.
Sunil Narshi Shah, Kamal Narshi Punja Shah, and Magnesh Kumar Verma they yesterday appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi.
General manager of United Millers Limited Henry Munywoki Kavita was also charged but he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on Sh400,000 cash bail.
Kavita is separately charged with forging a local purchase order for Alysam Stores on April 15, 2015 purporting to be a genuine LPO.
On April 2, 2015, Kavita and the three directors were accused that at an unknown place within Kenya jointly conspired with intent to defraud BN Kotecha and Sons Sh79.4 million.
In the case, United Millers directors were sued B N Kotecha & Sons, Hemal Kishor Kotecha and Harshil Kishore Kotecha.
The four allegedly pretended they had lost business as United Millers Limited to their clients by failure to supply sugar.
They were also charged with defeating the course of justice by filing a case at the High Court in Kisumu allegedly using falsified documents.
Magistrate Andayi ordered each of them to be released on Sh1 million bond or cash bail of Sh400,000 pending the mention for pre-trial on May 24, 2021.
He also directed them not to leave the jurisdiction of the court without court permission.
Further, the accused were ordered to deposit their traveling documents with the court until further notice.
Senior state counsel Angela Fuchaka informed the court that they were not opposed to accused persons being released on bond.
Senior State prosecutor Everlyn Onunga urged the court to issue a warrant of arrest against the accused who were granted a police bond last year.
She had told the court that Sunil, Kamal, and Magnesh were earlier freed on 70,000 police bond by the police boss at Muthaiga station.
However, Andayi declined to issue a warrant of arrest against the three.
Andayi also ordered the defence lawyer to produce medical records of the suspects.
The defence lawyer said he will keep the court posted on the status of his clients and promised to produce relevant information to the court and prosecution.