Questions legal advisor, on what basis Nirav Modi branded fugitive

Mumbai, Feb 21 Attorney of Nirav Modi on Wednesday emphasized that his customer was not an absconder and questioned as to on what premise he has been branded as a fugitive.

Vijay Aggarwal said, "Please explain to me who is a fugitive? He has been summoned to either show up face to face or through approved delegates. You have branded him as a fugitive on what basis, please tell me know. There are such a significant number of people who are out of nation since they have worldwide business."

The legal advisor also said that the methodology, for this situation, will be worked out once the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) records charge-sheet.

"After CBI charge sheet comes out, obviously, one will confront it. The destiny of the case is 'khoda paahad, nikali chuiya'. I have seen every single bank report, so every support of this present case's basis isn't right," he included.

The legal counselor had before additionally invalidated the reports that his customer was stealing away, saying that he was out of India for "business purposes".

Addressing media here, Vijay Aggarwal said, "This is your perception that he is absconder. He (Nirav Modi) isn't stealing away. He has a worldwide business and he left India for business reason. Presently his travel permit has been repudiated. His relatives, some of them are remote nationals, also remain abroad more often than not."

Niravi Modi and Gitanjali Gems Chairman and Managing Director Mehul Choksi have been blamed for cheating the PNB to the tune of over Rs. 11300 crores.

The scam was begun in 2011 and was detected in the third week of January this year, after which the PNB authorities detailed it to the concerned offices.

Then, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI are probing the issue and conducting searches and raids at different areas linked with Nirav Modi and Gitanjali Gems.