PNB Fraud Case: CBI Sends Fresh Summons To Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi
CBI makes it clear that Modi and Choksi are obliged to show up for the probe.
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The Central Bureau of Investigation today sent fresh summons to billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and his maternal uncle Mehul Choksi to join investigations as early as possible.
The agency made it clear to the duo that they were “obliged” to cooperate with the probe agency, officials said. It had sent three summonses on Feb. 19, 23 and 28 asking them to join the probe at the earliest. They were asked to appear on March 7.
Gitanjali Gems promoter Choksi, in his seven page letter which was released by his lawyer, has said it was impossible for him to return to India and join the investigation due to the suspension of his passport and ill-health. In a detailed e-mail reply to the CBI's notice seeking his appearance, Choksi said his passport has been suspended by the authorities and he was undergoing medical treatment.
He said that on Feb. 16, he received an e-mail from the passport office which stated that his travel document has been suspended due to the reason 'security threat to India'. However, the Regional Passport Office, Mumbai, did not give him any explanation for suspension of his passport or as to how he was a security threat.
I am also not in a position to travel due to my persisting health problem. I had a cardiac procedure which was conducted in the first week of February 2018 and there is still pending work to be done on the same.Mehul Choksi’s Letter
A response on similar lines was received from Nirav Modi citing that he could not travel to India to join the probe. In a terse reply, the CBI “directed: him to approach the Indian mission in the country where they were residing so that immediate arrangement can be made for their travel to India, officials said.