Cell no. 2, Barrack 12 awaits jailbird Nirav
Fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi is likely to be relocating - from Wandsworth Prison, UK, to Barrack 12 at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, as he is the subject of two sets of criminal proceedings by the CBI and ED. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case relates to the large-scale fraud on the Punjab National Bank by fraudulently obtaining of letters of undertaking (LoUs) or loan agreements and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case is related to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud.
On learning the news of Modi’s extradition on TV, authorities at Arthur Road Jail undertook a quick review of Barrack 12, where he will be kept. As reported earlier, Barrack 12 is a ground-plusone structure with eight cells on each floor. Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Samir Bhujbal, former Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea and the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank scam accused HDIL promoters Rakesh and Sarang Wadhawan have been previous occupants of the barrack.
A senior officer, who did not want to be named, told The Free Press Journal, “Af ter the news flashed on TV, the concerned officers and staff have done a status check of Barrack 12 at the jail. It must be mentioned here that the judge at the Westminster Magistrate's Court, in his order has observed that Barrack 12 at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai is fit for Nirav Modi. In view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, additional safety measures are being taken to keep Barrack 12 and other cells clean.” He informed that the 49-year-old diamantaire will be housed in cell no. 2 of the same barrack.
Another officer admitted that the “appeal may take some time as the judge at the Westminster Magistrate's Court has forwarded the extradition order to the UK Secretar y of State. Arthur Road Jail is ready for Nirav Modi whenever he comes. The concerned staff has checked the functioning of the CCTV and other amenities, including a toilet and shower with round-the-clock water supply, fans, lights and cushioned cots.” He further noted that Barrack 12 had sufficient natural light, ventilation, a western-style bathroom attached to the cell, and a plasma TV set. He said the status report would be submitted for review to the DG, Prisons, before Nirav Modi’s arrival.