#PNBScam : ED to soon send a reminder to Interpol for issuance of red corner notice against Mehul Choksi

New Delhi, August 18: The Enforcement Directorate is all set to send a request reminder to the Interpol to for the issuance of Red Corner Notice (RCN) against fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi, who is accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. Notably, fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are involved in Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.

 

According to the sources, the central probe agency is still waiting for the issuance of Red Corner Notice against Mehul Choksi and therefore the reminder will be sent soon. Earlier, the CBI had sent a request to Interpol for the issuance of RCNs against four of the case accused, including Choksi after submitting its first case charge sheet in May this year.

While the Interpol had issued RCNs against Modi and two others in June-end, it sought clarifications on the investigations against Choksi. The CBI and ED are investigating PNB scam case separately.

On August 2, the authorities of Antigua confirmed about the presence of fugitive Punjab National Bank scam accused Mehul Choksi. On the other side, the Indian government have also conveyed to the Antiguan authorities to prevent Choksi's movement from land, air or sea.

The development comes nearly seven months after the biggest fraudulent case hit Mumbai in the month of February where Punjab National Bank reported that it has detected fraudulent and unauthorized transactions in one of its branches in Mumbai. The cumulative fraud amounts stand to Rs 13000 crores. Both Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi are being investigated by Enforcement Directorate and CBI in the Punjab National bank mega scam.

However, Nirav Modi and his brother Nishal Modi left the country on 1st of January this year. Nirav Modi's wife, an American citizen, left India on 6 January while Mehul Choksi left the country on 4 January. CBI received a complaint from PNB on 29th Jan 2018 and registered the case on 31st January. Choksi had taken the citizenship of Antigua in November 2017, and oath of allegiance on January 15 this year.