Punjab National Bank fraud: Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi plans to seek asylum in the United Kingdom

Diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who is wanted in connection with Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, is reportedly planning to apply for asylum in the United Kingdom, a media report said. Last week, British authorities informed India that Modi was living in the UK. Replying to a question, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh told Rajya Sabha that National Central Bureau of Manchester conveyed to Indian agencies that their investigations have led to the location of Nirav Modi in the UK. [caption id=“attachment_4510369” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A file photo of Nirav Modi. News18[/caption] “In August 2018, the government sent two requests, one from the CBI and the other from the Enforcement Directorate, to the authorities of the UK seeking the extradition of Nirav Modi to India,” Singh said. He said the requests are presently under the consideration of the authorities concerned of the UK. In June, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had written to several European countries seeking help in tracing Nirav Modi. Nirav Modi is wanted in connection with Punjab National Bank fraud case. A multi-agency probe is already underway into the fraud, which was mainly perpetrated by way of fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs). The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is yet to submit its investigation report to the government on Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi with regard to multi-crore scam. Modi and Choksi are the alleged kingpins behind the Rs 13,000 crore fraud at Punjab National Bank. --With inputs from PTI