PNB Fraud by Nirav Modi: Rs 11,300 Crore Scam Started in 2011, Government Monitoring Situation, Says Sunil Mehta
Sunil Mehta on Thursday said that the bank's Rs 11,300 crore scam had started back in 2011 and it was detected by PNB officials on January 3 this year.
New Delhi, February 15: In wake of the recent high-profile fraud by jeweller and businessman Nirav Modi, Punjab National Bank (PNB) Managing Director (MD) Sunil Mehta on Thursday said that the bank's Rs 11,300 crore scam had started back in 2011 and it was detected by PNB officials on January 3 this year. He further informed that the Government of India is monitoring the situation and that the bank is getting full support in nabbing the culprits.
While briefing media on the mega scam, Mehta said, “We detected the fraud on January 3. We got to know that 2 of our employees did some unauthorised transactions”. He informed that the bank has initiated criminal action against the staff members. “PNB has capability & capacity to come out of this. In response to our registered FIR, raids are being conducted on involved groups establishments; documents & records are being seized. Steps are being taken to protect the financial interest of banks”, Mehta added.
Mehta said that the bank lodged a complaint with the CBI on January 29, following which the investigation agency registered an FIR on the next day. He said this is a standalone incident as it has taken place only in one of the bank’s branches.
PNB Fraud case: ED conducts raids on Nirav Modi showrooms:
As per details by official sources, Nirav Modi left India on 1st of January. The CBI received a complaint from PNB on 29th January 2018 and then registered the case on 31st January. They informed that a lookout notice has also been issued against Nirav Modi. Nirav Modi's wife, an American citizen, left India on January 6, 2018, Mehul Choksi left the country on January 4, 2018. Nirav Modi's brother Nishal Modi, a Belgian citizen, left India on January 1, 2018. CBI issued lookout circulars against all accused on 31 Jan 2018, official sources told ANI.
Earlier today, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money laundering case against Nirav Modi and his relatives along. The ED raided over dozen premises across India that are connected to them. According to a report by TOI, the premises raided by the ED includes Modi's residence in Kurla, his jewellery boutique in Kala Ghoda area, three company locations in Bandra and Lower Parel, three premises in Surat in Gujarat and Modi's showrooms in Chanakyapuri and Defence Colony in Delhi.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 15, 2018 04:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).