PNB scam: Passports of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi revoked

The passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, accused in Punjab National Bank scam, have been revoked, ANI reports, quoting sources.

Modi and Choksi are facing multiple investigations into one of the biggest frauds in the country's banking history and are accused of defrauding India's second biggest lender, Punjab National Bank, of an estimated Rs 11400 crore with the help of a couple of bank employees.

"The ministry of external affairs (MEA) sent an email informing Nirav that his passport stands revoked under section 10 (3) (C) of the Passport Act," said a person familiar with the matter.

On February 16, the passport issuing authority in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had suspended the validity of passports of Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi with immediate effect for a period of four weeks.

Two days ago, in an emailed reply to the ED's investigating officer, Nirav Modi cited the temporary suspension of his passport and pending business issues as reasons for his non-appearance before the probe agency.

The ED had also issued summons for appearance to the billionaire diamond merchant and Choksi in connection with its money laundering probe in the Rs 11,400 crore fraud in PNB.

OneIndia News