CBI team likely to leave for London to assist authorities in Nirav Modi extradition case

A joint Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - Enforcement Directorate (ED) team has been deputed to leave for London on Wednesday to assist local authorities in the extradition case of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi whose bail plea will come for hearing before a court there on March 29, officials said.

According to news agency PTI, the ED officer will carry the latest charge sheet filed by the agency against Modi’s wife Ami and the recent attachments made by it in the case. The Indian officials will meet various officers of London, including those from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and brief them about the charges and fresh evidence against Modi, his family and others in connection with the case.

The ED is reportedly carrying the documents related to the ₹147 crore property of Nirav Modi and his associate companies which the agency had attached on February 26 in connection with the PNB fraudulent case.

The 48-year-old diamantaire is accused of swindling over
$2 billion ( ₹13,780 crore) from state-run Punjab National Bank in collusion with his uncle Mehul Choksi.

He was spotted living in an upscale locality in London by the UK-based newspaper The Telegraph. Modi was later arrested on the basis of the extradition request of India and a Red Corner notice issued against him on the request of the CBI last year. He was produced before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on March 20, wherein he contested his extradition to India.

District Judge Marie Mallon denied bail to Modi and remanded him in custody till March 29, saying there was substantial grounds to believe that he would fail to surrender if granted bail.