PNB scam: ED attaches valuables worth Rs 255 Crores in Hong Kong under PMLA belonging to Nirav Modi

Total attachment in Punjab National Bank Scam till date is worth Rs 4,744 crore.

Nirav Modi file image

New Delhi:  In a major blow to diamond merchant Nirav Modi, the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday seized valuables worth Rs 255 crores belonging to him in Hong Kong. The valuables have been attached under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Total attachment in Punjab National Bank Scam till date is worth Rs 4,744 crore. Fugitive Nirav Modi is the kingpin of the 13,700 crore Punjab National Bank Scam. His uncle Mehul Choksy is also a prime accused in the case. Speaking on the request for extradition of fugitive diamantaires, External Affairs Ministry said, the same is being "examined" by Antigua and Barbuda. Answering a question on Choksi, MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar at a briefing had said, "According to the information that I have, the extradition request by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and the ED (Enforcement Directorate), is being examined by them (Antigua and Barbuda authorities) and after they have examined it, they have said they will convey their response to India." External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had met Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda E P Chet Greene last month on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly and raised the issue of extradition of Choksi, who is currently in the Caribbean island. Greene had conveyed to Swaraj the assurances of his Prime Minister for fullest cooperation of their government in the matter of extradition of Choksi to India, Kumar had said after the meeting. On a question on absconding businessman Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, Kumar said that in the case of Nirav Modi, extradition requests from the CBI and ED are pending with the UK authorities."The requests are under consideration," he said.