Interpol issues red-corner notice against Nirav Modi's sister Purvi Modi in connection with #PNBScam

New Delhi, September 10: The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) on Monday issued a red-corner notice (RCN) against fugitive jeweler Nirav Modi's sister Purvi Modi in connection with at least Rs 13000 crore Punjab National Bank money-laundering case.

 

ED requested Interpol to issue RCN against Modi's sister in the month of August this year after she failed to appear before a special Fugitive Economic Offenders Act court in Mumbai. Notably, this comes at least a week after Interpol issued RCN against Mihir Bhansali, a close aide of Nirav Modi in connection with the PNB scam.

Mihir, who was the CEO of Modi's Firestar International, is wanted by the Enforcement Directorate as part of its probe in the biggest bank scam. The RCN against Mihir Rashmi Bhansali, CEO of Nirav Modi's jewellery firm in the US, Firestar International, was also requested by the ED. A similar Interpol notice was issued against Nirav Modi in August this year.

The development comes nearly four 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.

After the scam was unveiled, the Enforcement Directorate and CBI registered an FIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and conducted scathing raids after the surfacing of the alleged fraud by billionaire diamond trader Nirav Modi and his Mumbai-based firms Diamonds R Us, Solar Exports and Stellar Diamonds.

Recently, the ED also filed charge sheet against Nirav Modi and his several countries and many other senior bank officials for their involvement in the mega scam. The CBI sealed Brady House branch of Punjab National Bank in Mumbai from where the Rs 11,378.68 Crores PNB scam was originated.

In March, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the fugitive offender Nirav Modi, who was involved in more than Rs 13,000 PNB scam is in Hong Kong. However, Indian authorities have already sought the provisional arrest of Nirav Modi to Hong Kong. MEA has also revoked the visa of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

In May, taking a stern action against billionaire jeweler Nirav Modi for his involvement in the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached a Rs 52.80 crore wind farm.

Importantly, 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.