ED Officer Satyabrata Kumar Probing Nirav Modi Case Removed; Order Issued While He's In London: Reports
The ED order, reportedly signed by Special Director Vineet Agrawal, states that Kumar is being removed as he has completed his five-year tenure with the agency.
New Delhi, March 29: Officer incharge of probing the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, Satyabrata Kumar, was removed from his post in an unexpected order issued on Friday, reports said. Kumar, currently the Joint Director in Enforcement Directorate, is at London's Westminster Court to attend the bail hearing of diamantaire Nirav Modi, the prime accused in the PNB case.
The ED order, reportedly signed by Special Director Vineet Agrawal, states that Kumar is being removed as he has completed his five-year tenure with the agency. "It will be the responsibility of the immediate superior officer to ensure that the deputationist does not overstay," the copy of the order reportedly read.
Kumar is also the investigating officer in the case involving fugitive ex-liquor baron Vijay Mallya.
Here is the copy of ED order being shared on social media:
Meanwhile, ED director SK Mishra has dismissed the order saying, no such directive could be considered as official without his approval. Kumar is not being removed from his post, the agency chief was reported as saying.
The conflicting reports come amid a major breakthrough in the PNB case, with the UK authorities arresting Nirav Modi last week based on the red corner notice issued by the Interpol. Sources in the ED claim that the diamantaire's extradition could be secured in the near future, as the case is not as conflicted as Vijay Mallya's.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2019 06:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).