PNB scam: ED attaches over Rs 218-crore assets of Mehul Choksi, others

On May 22 this year, after taking cognisance of the second charge sheet filed in the Rs 12,636-crore PNB fraud case by the CBI, the special court had issued the NBW against Choksi. (File)

As agencies pursue the extradition of diamantaires Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in connection with the Rs 13,500 crore PNB scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday attached assets to the tune of Rs 218 crore in the case. The assets belong to Choksi, Nirav Modi’s close aide Mihir Bhansali and a company identified as AP Gems and Jewellery Park. A flat owned by Choksi in Trump Tower in Mumbai and a Rs 51 crore flat owned by Bhansali in a foreign country are among those attached by the ED.

“Bhansali is a close confidant of Nirav Modi and beneficiary of the scam. He was actively involved in the diversion of funds received from PNB’s LoU’s (letters of undertaking),” the ED said in a statement. Choksi’s villa valued at Rs 27 crore in an undisclosed country has also been attached. A 2.1 lakh square feet building on a 2.5 acre land in the name of AP Gems and Jewellery Park in Hyderabad’s posh Banjara hills area has also been attached, the ED said. The ED said Choksi holds 89 per cent of shares in the firm through a “convoluted structure and overseas entity”.

Also read | Choksi has got citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda. Why here?

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It said a Rs 1.70 crore Trump Tower flat in the name of Choksi’s daughter has also been attached. “For purchase of this flat, Rs 1.70 crore was transferred by Choksi to the Belgian bank account of his daughter and the money was again brought to India for making payment to the builder,” the ED alleged.

Diamonds worth Rs 18.76 crore belonging to Modi’s Firestar group were also seized, ED said. The agency is getting letters rogatory or judicial requests issued to formalise the overseas attachments with help from their foreign counterparts. The total value of attachments in this case stands at Rs 4,488 crore now, it said.