The Enforcement Directorate will soon forward its request for the extradition of Nitin and Chetan Sandesara, the accused in the ₹8,100 crore bank fraud case involving Sterling Biotech Group, from Albania.
The Sandesaras had flown out of country after the CBI registered an FIR against them in 2017. They are also wanted by the ED in the money laundering case.
It is learnt that the family members took Albanian citizenship last year.
They allegedly set up Laxmi Reale Estate & Investment in December 2017 and Tulja Reale Estate & Investment in March 2018. The accused persons have given a Nigerian address in the documents related to these companies.
The Albanian authorities had recently detained Hitesh Patel, brother-in-law of the Mr. Sandesaras, as he is also wanted in the case.
The issue has triggered a political controversy in Albania. The Albania’s Foreign Ministry recently fired Mr. Nitin Sandesara as its Consul of Honour in Nigeria, stating that his case might damage the country’s image and reputation.
