Sterling Biotech group case: Hitesh Patel detained in Albania

Businessman Hitesh Patel, an accused in the Sterling Biotech group case, has been detained in Albania's capital city Tirana, Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources said.

Patel was detained by National Crime Bureau-Tirana on March 20 after a Red Corner Notice was issued on March 11, ED sources said.

Patel is expected to be extradited to India soon. A prosecution complaint was filed by the ED in a special PMLA Court in India, they added.

Patel is the brother-in-law of Sandesara brothers -- Nitin and Chetan Sandesara, the main accused in the Sterling Biotech case.

Earlier, the ED had moved the special PMLA court in Delhi and filed the complaint under Section 4 of Fugitive Economic Offenders Act against four persons namely Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara, Dipti Sandesara and Hitesh Patel, ED sources said.

All the four accused are the promoters of Sterling Group and has fled the country to avoid criminal investigation, they said.

Patel was instrumental in getting dummy directors for shell companies used by Sandesaras, ED sources said.

This development comes after another fugitive businessman, Nirav Modi was arrested by the Scotland Yard in connection with a loan default case in India on Tuesday afternoon (local time). He was sent to HM Prison Wandsworth after his bail plea was rejected by the Westminster Magistrate Court in London.

Modi was remanded to judicial custody till March 29.

The fugitive diamond merchant, along with his uncle Mehul Choksi, is wanted for his alleged involvement in Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan default case.