Investigating agencies, in a meeting scheduled for this week with External Affairs Ministry officials, are likely to take up the issue of how fugitive Nirav Modi had been travelling on an Indian passport even after the Ministry claimed to have revoked it in February.
It is learnt that the meeting is specifically on the issue of extradition requests. Asked whether the issue of Mr. Nirav Modi would also be taken up, the Ministry declined to comment.
In response to an Interpol diffusion notice, which sought confirmation on the fugitive’s movements and location, the agencies have received information from foreign jurisdictions revealing that he had been travelling on an Indian passport till March 31 and had also visited the United Kingdom. “It is surprising how he was allowed to use an Indian passport,” said an official. The CBI has now approached the Interpol to issue Red Notice Nishal Modi and Subhash Parab too.
The agency had earlier applied for Red Notice against Mr. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi. While his brother Nishal is a Belgian citizen, Mr. Parab is an executive in his company.
The Enforcement Directorate has also written to the Interpol for issuance of Red Notice against Mr. Nirav Modi after the special court took cognisance of its charge sheet on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the CBI reiterated that the current location of Mr. Nirav Modi is not known. On February 15, the agency had sent the diffusion notice in an effort to locate him and other accused persons. In response, it has received some information regarding his movements in the United Kingdom.
However, the CBI is yet to get a confirmation on his present whereabouts. “After getting the diffusion notice issued through the Interpol channel on February 15, the CBI proactively pursued it with individual countries likely to be visited by the accused fugitives, reiterating confirmation of their addresses/locations,” said a CBI official.
The official said the UK National Central Bureau (Interpol) had shared certain details of movements of the fugitives which have been shared with the investigating units and other sister agencies for further probe.
