Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday conducted searches at 21 locations across India, including West Bengal, in connection with Mumbai-based billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and founder of Gitanjali Jewels Mehul Choksi’s Rs 11,000 Crore Punjab National Bank Scam.
In Bengal, the operation was conducted by a joint team of ED officials from Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata. They have seized diamonds, gold, precious stones and jewellery worth Rs 25 crore as per the book value (across India).
A K Rawal, Spokesperson of ED, said, “Yes, there was some operation (regarding Gitanjali Jewels case) by our officers. Nothing much to share now.”
Later the ED tweeted, “ED conducted further searches at 21 locations across India in Nirav Modi case & seized diamonds, gold, precious stones/metals & jewellery worth Rs 25 crore (Book Value). Total seizure till now is Rs 5674 Crore.”
In Durgapur and in one of the stores in South Kolkata, ED officers found the Gitanjali jewellery stores closed. However, they managed to get in touch with the proprietor of the stores and they were asked to report to the ED office at Salt Lake in Kolkata.
A senior ED officer posted in Kolkata said that Gitanjali Jewels and its franchisers seems like winding up their business in Bengal. “We have got a list of people involved in the business transaction with Gitanjali Jewels in Eastern India and we will soon summon them for questioning,” he said.
CBI on Friday sought Interpol’s help to locate Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi, brother Nishal Modi and Mehul Choksi. Already, their passports are suspended for four weeks to restrict their movement internationally. Based on PNB’s complaint – the probe agency filed a fresh FIR against Choksi and Modi.
Comments
0 comment