Torres fraud: Custody of 3 accused extended till Saturday; police seek to probe money trail

The Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) had last week arrested the three accused linked to Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd, which runs the Torres jewellery brand. Taniya Xasatova alias Tazagul Karaxanovna Xasatova, 52, director Sarvesh Ashok Surve, 30, and store in-charge Valentina Ganesh Kumar, 44, were produced before the court on Monday.

The EOW sought further custody of the accused on the grounds that they needed to find the websites and mobile phones of the three to determine how they communicated with the other accused, who are Ukrainian nationals. It was submitted that they have so far identified 11 people – including Victoriia Kovalenko, a former director of the company – who are believed to have escaped.

Additional public prosecutor J N Suryavanshi informed the court that the police required further custody of the accused to find the money trail, including that of movable properties belonging to the accused. He said that the number of investors who have come forward with complaints has increased and so have the proceeds of crime.

On Friday, the Mumbai EOW concluded their two-day-long searches at six locations in connection with the case in Mumbai, leading to the seizure of cash around Rs 5 crore. The police also submitted that Rs 77 lakh was found at Taniya Xasatova’s residence.

Lawyer Ravi Jadhav, representing Valentina and Suresh, submitted that they were only salaried employees at the company.