Nirav Modi’s Sister Denied Video Link for Statement in PNB Fraud Case

A special CBI court in Mumbai has rejected a plea by Purvi Modi, sister of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, seeking permission to record her statement through video conferencing in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Special CBI Court Judge Subash Karhale dismissed the request after Purvi Modi’s lawyer sought permission for her statement to be recorded remotely. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier maintained that her statement must be recorded before her plea to turn approver in the case can be considered.

Purvi Modi, a Belgian national and Nirav Modi’s younger sister, has approached the CBI court seeking to become an approver in the alleged bank fraud case. She was arraigned as an accused in the matter, in which the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have filed multiple chargesheets.

The development comes as the CBI continues its proceedings against several accused linked to the alleged fraud involving the issuance of fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) through the Brady House branch of PNB in south Mumbai.

Purvi Modi and her husband, Maiank Mehta, have already turned approvers in a related money laundering case being investigated by the ED.

Nirav Modi, who is currently lodged in a jail in London, is a prime accused in the 2018 PNB fraud case. His uncle and diamond trader Mehul Choksi, along with others, is also being investigated by the ED in connection with the alleged money laundering.

The alleged fraud, involving more than USD 2 billion, was reportedly carried out in connivance with bank officials through fraudulent LoUs issued by the PNB branch. The case has remained one of India’s major banking fraud investigations, with proceedings continuing against the accused across multiple legal forums.