Nairobi tycoon Ashok Rupshi Shah has been ordered to appear before the Directorate of Criminal investigations Gigiri for questioning over extortion and death threat he allegedly issued to a state witness.

Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot ordered the businessman to present himself to the police after he appeared in court yesterday seeking to lift the arrest order issued against him last week.

He told the court he is willing present himself to the DCI Gigiri police station.

“I allow Ashok Shah who is before court now to present himself to DCI Gigiri before the end of today in default, the warrant of arrest that is against him shall remain in force,” ruled the Magistrate.

Cheruiyot further declined to lift the warrants of arrest against Shah co-suspects including the chairman of the Shree Cutchi Gujarati Hindu Union (SCGHU) Meghji Patel, Nilesh Bhavsharu, Mukesh Salva and Hirji Ramji Patel alias Harish Daria.

“For avoidance of doubt the warrant of arrest against other suspects remains in force,” he ordered. In his ruling, the Magistrate noted that the death threat allegations facing the suspects are serious since they may lead to defeat of justice.

The suspects through their lawyer David Oyatta had sought to lift the warrant of arrest against them saying that Shah co-accused persons are in Mombasa and would be presenting themselves before the police today.

But Prosecutor Kennedy Panyako opposed the application to have the warrant lifted saying that the conduct of the suspects are mischievous as they attempted to secure anticipatory bail at Kiambu High Court.