Nirav Modi in UK, CBI seeks extradition
New Delhi, Aug 20 : With the Interpol confirming the presence of fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, wanted in the Rs 13,500-crore PNB fraud, in the United Kingdom, the CBI on Monday moved to seek his detention and extradition to India, an official said on Monday.
According to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official, UK authorities confirmed Nirav Modi's presence in the country on Sunday through a mail after a diffusion notice was issued against him by the agency to the Interpol.
A diffusion notice is an international alert for the arrest of a specific person.
The official said that the CBI sent an extradition request to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday for approaching the UK authorities.
The CBI official said that the agency had requested the Interpol to detain Nirav Modi on the basis of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him. Nirav Modi's location was not traced until then.
The Interpol revealed two months ago that Modi had travelled to six countries on a passport that was revoked by the Ministry of External Affairs.
On July 2, the Interpol had issued a RCN against Nirav Modi on the basis of money laundering charges levelled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
On August 2, Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh informed Parliament that the government had sent a request to the UK for extraditing Nirav Modi.
Nirav Modi along with his uncle Mehul Choksi of the Gitanjali Group is under probe in the Punjab National Bank fraud case by both the CBI and the ED.
The ED had, on May 24 and 26, filed prosecution complaints or chargesheets against Choksi and Modi.
The court has taken cognisance of the chargesheets and issued non-bailable warrants against both.
Nirav Modi left India along with his family in the first week of January, weeks before the scam was reported to the CBI. His wife Ami, a US citizen, left on January 6 and Choksi on January 4.
Choksi was last traced to Antigua, where he has been granted citizenship.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Background of Delhi Assembly breach accused under scanner, booked for attempt to murder
New Delhi (PTI): The man behind the security breach at the Delhi Assembly on Monday is believed to be a supporter of the 2020-21 farmers' agitation with some history of mental health issues, with sources saying his background has raised multiple lines of inquiry for investigators.
Sarabjeet Singh, a 37-year-old resident of Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended two hours after he drove an SUV through one of the boundary gates of the assembly and placed a flower bouquet in the speaker's vehicle parked on the porch. He has been booked forattempt to murder, among other charges.
According to preliminary findings, Sarabjeet left his home on April 1 and remained largely untraceable for five days before the incident. In this period, he contacted his family only once and did not disclose his location or travel plans.
"He travelled to Bareilly on April 2 and subsequently reached Delhi on the day of the breach," the source said.
ALSO READ: Nine-judge SC bench hears pleas on discrimination against women at religious places
He also said that his family members told police that he becomes "difficult to control during such periods of illness" and that he often does not respond to family members during such episodes.
However, police said the exact state of his mental health is still being assessed as part of the ongoing probe and a medical examination is awaited.
The source said Sarabjeet was an active supporter of the farmers protest and had shared multiple posts on social media expressing solidarity with farmer leaders who died during the agitation. Several of these posts and videos were later deleted.
Investigators are also examining videos in which he is allegedly seen driving the same SUV at extremely high speeds, reportedly exceeding 150 kmph on empty roads. The vehicle, bearing a Uttar Pradesh registration number, was purchased recently in February.
On the day of the incident, Sarabjeet is believed to have acted alone. He drove the SUV at a high speed, rammed through Gate No. 2 of the assembly premises to enter the complex. He then allegedly placed a bouquet and garland inside the official vehicle of Speaker Vijender Gupta and briefly sat inside the car before fleeing through the same gate.
Police said the accused has not yet disclosed the motive behind his actions. His movements, call records and digital footprint are being analysed to determine whether he was influenced by any person or group.
He was eventually apprehended along with two other persons from a police picket near a nala in the Roop Nagar area after an alert was issued across the city.
"All individuals are currently being questioned, and further investigation is underway," read the statement.
Delhi Police, in a statement, said that at around 2.10 pm, a white SUV forcefully entered the premises of the Delhi Assembly through Gate No. 2. "One individual, alighted from the vehicle and proceeded towards the porch area carrying a bouquet and a garland (mala) of marigold flowers. It is pertinent to mention that the Vidhan Sabha was not in session at the time," read the statement of the Delhi Police.
The accused drove the vehicle in a dangerous manner with apparent intent to run over security personnel on duty, thereby endangering their lives, a senior police officer said. When security staff tried to catch Sarabjeet, he fled.
A case has been registered at Civil Lines under appropriate sections of law, including attempt to murder, criminal trespass with preparation to commit offence, use of criminal force against a public servant, and Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, along with other relevant provisions pertaining to obstruction of public servants in discharge of duty.
