PNB scam: Nirav Modi’s sister turns approver, to testify against him
Last month, Purvi Mehta and her husband, Maiank Mehta, had filed applications before the court stating that they wanted to distance themselves from Nirav Modi, and could provide “substantial and important evidence” relevant to him and his dealings.
FollowMumbai: A special court in Mumbai has allowed Purvi Modi, sister of fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, to become an "approver" or a prosecution witness in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case.
Last month, Purvi Mehta and her husband, Maiank Mehta, had filed applications before the court stating that they wanted to distance themselves from Nirav Modi, and could provide “substantial and important evidence” relevant to him and his dealings.
Special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) V C Barde on Monday accepted her plea for turning an approver. The order became available on Tuesday.
The "position of the accused (Purvi Modi) in this case after tender of pardon is that she shall be marked as approver", the court said.
Purvi Modi, a Belgian national, is an accused in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.
"The accused staying abroad presently shall be directed to present herself before the court, for which purpose the prosecution shall take necessary steps," the court order said.
In her application for pardon, Purvi Modi said that she was not a prime accused and has been attributed only a limited role by the investigating agency, adding they could make disclosures which would prove critical to establish the facts against Nirav and other accused.
Nirav and others are facing cases filed by the CBI and ED for allegedly committing a fraud of over Rs 6,498.20 crore on the Punjab National Bank by issuance of fraudulent Letters of Undertaking. Purvi and Maiank have not been named as accused by the CBI but have been named as co-accused in two ED cases.
