Punjab National Bank scam: Highlights of CBI's FIR against Nirav Modi; charges of criminal conspiracy, Rs 280-cr fraud

Punjab National Bank (PNB), the second largest public sector bank in India, on Wednesday detected a $1.8 billion fraud in one of its branches in Mumbai. “The bank has detected some fraudulent and unauthorised transactions (messages) in one of its branches in Mumbai for the benefit of a few select account holders with their apparent connivance,” PNB said. Following this, the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted multiple searches in connection with a Rs 280-crore money laundering case against billionaire jewellery designer Nirav Modi and others following a complaint by Punjab National Bank. The ED had filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after going through a CBI FIR registered. It is understood that the ED also went through the PNB complaint that was made out against Modi and others. The CBI FIR dated 31 January, 2018 was based on a complaint filed by Avneesh Nepalia, the Deputy General Manager at Punjab National Bank. It alleged that the partnership firms mentioned in the complaint had gained an amount of Rs 280.70 crore rupees while the bank suffered a wrongful loss of the same magnitude. The CBI FIR itself lists out the details of the accused. The primary name is that of Nirav Modi who is listed as a partner in M/s Diamond R US, M/s Solar Exports and M/s Stellar Diamonds. It also names his associates Nishal Modi, Ami Nirav Modi and Mehul Chinubhai Choksi. The final two names are associated with Punjab National Bank. The first, Gokulnath Shetty, is a retired Deputy Manager with the bank while the other, Manoj Hanumant Kharat is an SWO wiht the bank. The FIR charges the accused under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code as well as Section 13(2) (criminal misconduct by public servant) read with Section 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 With inputs from agencies   Click here to follow LIVE updates on PNB scam case