The ED had earlier filed the application in the court seeking permission to begin the extradition of the absconding diamantaire in connection with a multi-crore Punjab National Bank scam.
India has sought assistance from three European countries to trace and restrict absconding businessman Nirav Modi's movements. Sources here said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has written letters to France, United Kingdom, and Belgium seeking assistance. A 'note verbale' has also been shared with these countries in their respective capitals by the heads of Indian missions.
A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court in Mumbai on Tuesday had given its nod to begin Nirav Modi's extradition from the United Kingdom. The ED had earlier filed the application in the court seeking permission to begin the extradition of the absconding diamantaire in connection with a multi-crore Punjab National Bank scam.
The MEA letter was sent after it was noticed that Modi had managed to travel through several countries even though India had cancelled his passport. Sources here said that he travelled from New York to London on February 10, from Hong Kong to London on February 15, from London to Hong Kong on March 15, from New York to London on March 28 and from London to Paris on March 31. The CBI said it had shared the information of his passport in the 'diffusion' notice issued through Interpol on February 15. But Interpol branches of Belgium and US didn't cooperate, say sources. A diffusion, which is less formal than a red corner notice, is a request to the Interpol seeking the arrest of a person or any information on them.
According to the ED, Nirav Modi is in the UK and needs to be extradited as non-bailable warrants have already been issued against him, and he is not appearing before the court even after the prosecution complaint. The ED had also sent a request for a Red Corner Notice against the billionaire businessman, but the Interpol is yet to act on the plea.
Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are among the main accused in the fraud case pegged at over Rs 13,400 crore. They have been booked in nearly half-a-dozen cases related to the bank fraud. They had left the country before criminal cases were lodged against them in February.
Meanwhile, Choksi, on Wednesday moved a special court in Mumbai seeking cancellation of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him. In the application, he claimed that he cannot travel because of his medical condition. He also contended that his case was completely different from that of his relative Nirav Modi.
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 "Nirav Modi")
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