PNB fraud: CBI seeks extradition of Nirav's brother Neeshal

The CBI has sought the extradition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's brother and Belgian national Neeshal Modi. A request has been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for necessary action, an official said on Monday.

"The request for extradition of Neeshal Modi from Belgium was shared with the MHA on Friday. It will be forwarded to the Ministry of External Affairs for further action," the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official told IANS.

The CBI has filed a charge sheet against Neeshal Modi and his extradition is necessary for investigation in the Punjab National Bank fraud of over Rs 13,500 crore.

According to the CBI official, the extradition process was initiated after Neeshal Modi was spotted in Belgium.

The Interpol had in July issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Nirav Modi, Neeshal and Nirav Modi company's executive Subhash Parab following CBI request in connection with the PNB fraud.

The Interpol website displays Neeshal's picture, citing charges of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker merchant or agent, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property apart from offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In August, a special court in Mumbai had issued summons to Nirav Modi's sister Purvi Modi and brother Neeshal, who are Belgian citizens, to appear before it on September 25. The court said that if they failed to appear, their properties would be confiscated under the newly enacted Fugitive Offenders Act.

The Interpol has issued similar notice against Nirav Modi, who along with his family as well as uncle Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali Group left the country in January, a month before the fraud came to light.

Nirav Modi's wife Ami, a US citizen, left on January 6 and Choksi on January 4.

Choksi had taken the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in November 2017.

Officials said on Monday that following request from the Enforcement Directorate, Interpol had issued Red Corner Notice against Purvi Deepak Modi, sister of Nirav Modi on charge of money laundering.

--IANS

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