Probing if aides helping tycoon run business: ED

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate is probing if any of Nirav Modi’s close associates in the country are helping him to run any diamond business after reports emerged stating that he is operating from Soho, a part of the posh West End area in London. Investigations are on to probe about Modi being issued national insurance number in the UK which allows him to work and conduct banking transactions.

“We are probing if anyone is in touch with Nirav Modi, and is helping him run his diamond business,” said an ED official, on condition of anonymity.

Apart from the investigations, Enforcement Directorate has sent letter rogatory to 18 countries, which is a formal request from an Indian court to a foreign court, for judicial assistance to track down Nirav Modi, his family members and associates.

This is apart from the extradition requests sent to UK, USA and Egypt for Nirav Modi and his aides-Mihir Bhansali and Subhash Parab, and a red corner notice issued against Modi, his brother Nishal Modi, employee Aditya Nanavati, sister Purvi Modi, Mihir Bhansali and Subhash Parab on request of ED.

After the video of absconding diamantaire surfaced showing him freely walking down a street in London, the ED statement issued on Saturda, which read: “Request for extradition of Modi to India was sent in the month of July 2018 to UK. The UK Central Authority of Home Office confirmed that the extradition request has been certified by Home Secretary of UK and the same has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for the District Judge for further proceedings.”

Till now, ED has initiated total attachment of ₹1873.08 crore vide 12 provisional attachment order (PAO) and total seizure of ₹489.75 crore vide 20 seizure orders including various overseas assets and bank accounts. The attachment includes overseas attachment of ₹961.49 crore in Hong Kong, Switzerland, USA, Singapore and United Arab Emirates (UAE).