Interpol issues global arrest warrant against Nirav Modi's wife in PNB fraud case

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 25

A global arrest warrant against Ami Modi, wife of Nirav Modi, has been issued by Interpol in connection with US$ 2 billion PNB bank fraud case, officials in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said.

Ami, along with her husband Nirav, has been booked under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Interpol “red corner notice” (RCN) has been issued on the request of the ED, the officials said. Ami is believed to have left India soon after the alleged bank fraud case came into light in 2018.

According to the agreement reached among the comity of nations, once an RCN is issued against a fugitive, the Interpol asks its 192-member countries to arrest or detain the person, if spotted in their countries and following which extradition or deportation proceedings can begin.

The ED has charged Ami Modi for conspiring and laundering money with her husband and jeweller Nirav apart from his uncle Mehul Choksi and others under the PMLA.

Nirav Modi (49), is currently lodged in a UK jail after being arrested in London in March, 2019 and is currently fighting extradition proceedings in that country’s court. He has been declared a fugitive economic offender by a Mumbai court early this year and the court had also ordered the confiscation of his assets. The ED has already confiscated about Rs 329 crore of his linked properties.

The businessman, Choksi and others are also being probed by the ED on money laundering charges in connection with PNB bank fraud case.

Similar Interpol notices have earlier been issued against Nirav Modi’s younger brother Nehal Modi and his sister Purvi Modi.