ED to start proceedings to attach more Nirav assets

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing the multi-crore PNB Scam, may soon initiate the fresh proceedings to attach the assets, worth several crores, linked to  diamond jeweller Nirav Modi. The central probe agency has already attached several assets belonging to Nirav Modi and his aides as part of its investigation into the case.

Sources said, "Investigators are preparing a fresh list of certain assets linked to the accused that have not been attached so far". The ED recently attached valuables and jewellery worth Rs 255 crore in Hong Kong of Nirav Modi in connection with the case.

"The fresh attachment orders (provisional) will be issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The total attachment in this case so far is about Rs 4,744 crore",sources said. The ED has already filed charge sheets against Nirav Modi alleging that he laundered and diverted over `6,400 crore of bank funds abroad to dummy  companies that were under his and his families' control. Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others are being probed under various criminal laws after the fraud came to light this year following a complaint by the PNB that they allegedly cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of over Rs 13,000 crore, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank.

The ED recently attached a factory in Thailand worth over Rs 13 crore of a Gitanjali group company, allegedly owned by absconding diamond jeweller Mehul Choksi, in connection with the case. "Investigations under PMLA had revealed that Abbeycrest (Thailand)

Limited is the beneficiary of the LoUs (Letters of Undertaking) issued fraudulently and unauthorisedly by the PNB to the tune of Rs 92.3 crore. During probe, this overseas property was identified and after gathering concrete evidence of ownership it was attached," sources said. The value of the property was Rs 13.14 crore.