The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Tuesday said it has attached 13 assets located in Jammu and Kashmir in a terror financing case against Pakistan-based <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nia-court-issues-non-bailable-warrants-against-hafiz-saeed-syed-salahuddin-175174">terrorist Syed Salahuddin</a>, the chief of the globally banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

The central probe agency issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach the properties worth Rs 1.22 crore, which it said belonged to one Mohammad Shafi Shah, a resident of Bandipora, and six other residents of the state who allegedly worked for the terror outfit.

The ED said it filed a criminal case of money laundering in this instance after taking cognisance of a charge sheet filed against Salahuddin, Shah and others under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Action (UAPA).

"Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, the most active terror outfit in Kashmir, has been responsible for funding terrorist and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Headed by Syed Salahuddin, its self-styled commander based out of Rawalpindi in Pakistan, it funds terrorism on Indian soil through monies organised by a trust called JKART (Jammu and Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust) in alleged connivance with ISI and other Pakistan-based entities,"&nbsp; 
the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement.

It said probe found that "terror funds" were being sent to India through hawala and other channels.

Shah is lodged in the Tihar jail in the national capital in connection with an alleged terror funding case, it said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Tuesday said it has attached 13 assets located in Jammu and Kashmir in a terror financing case against Pakistan-based terrorist Syed Salahuddin, the chief of the globally banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Tuesday said it has attached 13 assets located in Jammu and Kashmir in a terror financing case against Pakistan-based terrorist Syed Salahuddin, the chief of the globally banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. The central probe agency issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach the properties worth Rs 1.22 crore, which it said belonged to one Mohammad Shafi Shah, a resident of Bandipora, and six other residents of the state who allegedly worked for the terror outfit. The ED said it filed a criminal case of money laundering in this instance after taking cognisance of a charge sheet filed against Salahuddin, Shah and others under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Action (UAPA). "Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, the most active terror outfit in Kashmir, has been responsible for funding terrorist and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Headed by Syed Salahuddin, its self-styled commander based out of Rawalpindi in Pakistan, it funds terrorism on Indian soil through monies organised by a trust called JKART (Jammu and Kashmir Affectees Relief Trust) in alleged connivance with ISI and other Pakistan-based entities," the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement. It said probe found that "terror funds" were being sent to India through hawala and other channels. Shah is lodged in the Tihar jail in the national capital in connection with an alleged terror funding case, it said.

Enforcement Directorate attaches 13 assets in J&K in terror funding probe against Syed Salahuddin

The ED on Tuesday said it was "proactively" pursuing all issues pertaining to the extradition of Nirav Modi, the main accused in the USD 2 billion PNB scam, from the UK as it dismissed media reports that Indian agencies "did not respond" in time when British investigators extended help.

The central agency, which is probing Nirav Modi under the criminal sections of the anti-money laundering law, issued a two-page clarification, saying the media reports in this context "have been distorted with speculative writing and wrong conclusions have been drawn".

A British daily recently published a report and video showing Modi walking on the streets of London and said the fugitive diamantaire was living in a swanky 8-million pounds apartment in the city's West End and that he was involved in new diamond business.

Calling the reports of inaction on part of the agency "insinuating", the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said, "It has been wrongly reported in the news item that the UK SFO had confirmed to Indian authorities by March 2018 that Nirav Modi was in the UK.

"In this connection, it is submitted that no such formal or informal communication was received by the ED from UK authorities in March 2018 or at a later date, informing that Nirav Modi was in the UK."

The ED added that the National Central Bureau of Manchester, the nodal agency of the UK for dealing with Interpol notices and cooperating with other countries, had instead asked Indian agencies to "provide it" with intelligence inputs that suggested Nirav Modi was in the UK.

It said the UK government's "consistent stand" had been that a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against an accused could only be executed through an "extradition request" and not through letters rogatory (LR) or the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).

Hence, it said, the extradition request for Nirav Modi could only be sent after a charge sheet was filed against him, which was done by the agency in May last year.

"An extradition request cannot be sent at the stage of the investigation. Accordingly, upon initiation of investigations by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in February last year against Nirav Modi and others, the first NBW was issued on March 5, 2018, and that was not acted upon by the UK government," the agency said.

The ED obtained a fresh NBW against Nirav Modi from a Mumbai court after filing the charge sheet and sent it to the Interpol, which notified the "red warrant" for arrest against the fugitive diamantaire on June 29 last year, and subsequently, a fresh request for extradition was sent to the UK government, the agency said.

It added that it had also sent a supplementary MLAT request in October last year for execution of an order of attachment of the UK-based assets of Nirav Modi.

"In response to these MLAT requests, the UK authorities had raised queries from time-to-time, which were promptly examined, and detailed replies were sent by the ED. These MLAT requests are yet to be executed by the UK authorities," the central probe agency said.

"It is reiterated that the ED has been proactively following up all the issues relating to the Nirav Modi case with authorities of various countries, including the UK. The directorate has also been making necessary efforts for successful extradition of Nirav Modi," it said.

The agency said the latest media reports reflected that the "understanding regarding the legal issues is contrary to the facts and established international protocols and procedures".

"This kind of misreporting and speculative news may create a wrong impression to the public at large," it said.

On March 9, the ED had said the UK home secretary had recently referred India's request for extraditing the tainted businessman to a court for initiating legal proceedings against him.&nbsp;

The ED on Tuesday said it was "proactively" pursuing all issues pertaining to the extradition of Nirav Modi, the main accused in the USD 2 billion PNB scam, from the UK as it dismissed media reports that Indian agencies "did not respond" in time when British investigators extended help.

The ED on Tuesday said it was "proactively" pursuing all issues pertaining to the extradition of Nirav Modi, the main accused in the USD 2 billion PNB scam, from the UK as it dismissed media reports that Indian agencies "did not respond" in time when British investigators extended help. The central agency, which is probing Nirav Modi under the criminal sections of the anti-money laundering law, issued a two-page clarification, saying the media reports in this context "have been distorted with speculative writing and wrong conclusions have been drawn". A British daily recently published a report and video showing Modi walking on the streets of London and said the fugitive diamantaire was living in a swanky 8-million pounds apartment in the city's West End and that he was involved in new diamond business. Calling the reports of inaction on part of the agency "insinuating", the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said, "It has been wrongly reported in the news item that the UK SFO had confirmed to Indian authorities by March 2018 that Nirav Modi was in the UK. "In this connection, it is submitted that no such formal or informal communication was received by the ED from UK authorities in March 2018 or at a later date, informing that Nirav Modi was in the UK." The ED added that the National Central Bureau of Manchester, the nodal agency of the UK for dealing with Interpol notices and cooperating with other countries, had instead asked Indian agencies to "provide it" with intelligence inputs that suggested Nirav Modi was in the UK. It said the UK government's "consistent stand" had been that a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against an accused could only be executed through an "extradition request" and not through letters rogatory (LR) or the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). Hence, it said, the extradition request for Nirav Modi could only be sent after a charge sheet was filed against him, which was done by the agency in May last year. "An extradition request cannot be sent at the stage of the investigation. Accordingly, upon initiation of investigations by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in February last year against Nirav Modi and others, the first NBW was issued on March 5, 2018, and that was not acted upon by the UK government," the agency said. The ED obtained a fresh NBW against Nirav Modi from a Mumbai court after filing the charge sheet and sent it to the Interpol, which notified the "red warrant" for arrest against the fugitive diamantaire on June 29 last year, and subsequently, a fresh request for extradition was sent to the UK government, the agency said. It added that it had also sent a supplementary MLAT request in October last year for execution of an order of attachment of the UK-based assets of Nirav Modi. "In response to these MLAT requests, the UK authorities had raised queries from time-to-time, which were promptly examined, and detailed replies were sent by the ED. These MLAT requests are yet to be executed by the UK authorities," the central probe agency said. "It is reiterated that the ED has been proactively following up all the issues relating to the Nirav Modi case with authorities of various countries, including the UK. The directorate has also been making necessary efforts for successful extradition of Nirav Modi," it said. The agency said the latest media reports reflected that the "understanding regarding the legal issues is contrary to the facts and established international protocols and procedures". "This kind of misreporting and speculative news may create a wrong impression to the public at large," it said. On March 9, the ED had said the UK home secretary had recently referred India's request for extraditing the tainted businessman to a court for initiating legal proceedings against him.

ED refutes allegation of inaction, says it's taking proactive steps to get Nirav Modi extradited

Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in AgustaWestland chopper scam case, claimed in a Delhi court Tuesday that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/they-will-not-be-able-to-get-anything-from-him-christian-michels-lawyer-to-wion-183762">threatened to make his life hell</a> inside jail if he did not toe the line of the agency in its investigation in the scandal.

"Sometime back Rakesh Asthana met me in Dubai and threatened that my life would be made hell and that's what is going on. My next door inmate is (gangster) Chotta Rajan... I don't understand what crime I have committed to be put along with those who have killed several people," he said.

Michel, who was present in the courtroom, also told the court that he was put in the prison with 16-17 Kashmiri separatist leaders.

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CBI Court allows ED to further question Christian Michel tomorrow and day after tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/fRc2ChKS1Z">https://t.co/fRc2ChKS1Z</a>
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The statements were made by Michel before Special Judge Arvind Kumar allowed the Enforcement Directorate to interrogate him inside Tihar Jail in Delhi. 
The court said the agency will quiz him tomorrow and the day after.

A jail official will remain present and Michel's lawyer is also allowed limited access during interrogation, for half an hour in the morning and in the evening, it said.

The court took note of Michel's submission alleging mental torture inside the jail and directed Tihar jail authorities to produce the CCTV footage and reports by Thursday based on which he was shifted to a high-security ward.

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Alleged middlemen in AgustaWestland case Christian Michel said before CBI Court earlier today that he was warned by the then CBI senior official Rakesh Asthana that his (Christian Michel's) life would be made hell if he comes back to India. It has become true. (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/OMYrBm5rEh">pic.twitter.com/OMYrBm5rEh</a>
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On Monday, the court asked the jail authorities to submit their reply on the agency's plea and issued a production warrant for Tuesday for Michel after his lawyer alleged mental torture inside the jail.

Michel was arrested by ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai.

The court previously lashed out at the jail authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response.

Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the chopper scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.&nbsp;

Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in AgustaWestland chopper scam case, claimed in a Delhi court Tuesday that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and threatened to make his life hell inside jail if he did not toe the line of the agency in its investigation in the scandal.

Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in AgustaWestland chopper scam case, claimed in a Delhi court Tuesday that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and threatened to make his life hell inside jail if he did not toe the line of the agency in its investigation in the scandal. "Sometime back Rakesh Asthana met me in Dubai and threatened that my life would be made hell and that's what is going on. My next door inmate is (gangster) Chotta Rajan... I don't understand what crime I have committed to be put along with those who have killed several people," he said. Michel, who was present in the courtroom, also told the court that he was put in the prison with 16-17 Kashmiri separatist leaders. CBI Court allows ED to further question Christian Michel tomorrow and day after tomorrow. https://t.co/fRc2ChKS1Z — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019 × The statements were made by Michel before Special Judge Arvind Kumar allowed the Enforcement Directorate to interrogate him inside Tihar Jail in Delhi. The court said the agency will quiz him tomorrow and the day after. A jail official will remain present and Michel's lawyer is also allowed limited access during interrogation, for half an hour in the morning and in the evening, it said. The court took note of Michel's submission alleging mental torture inside the jail and directed Tihar jail authorities to produce the CCTV footage and reports by Thursday based on which he was shifted to a high-security ward. Alleged middlemen in AgustaWestland case Christian Michel said before CBI Court earlier today that he was warned by the then CBI senior official Rakesh Asthana that his (Christian Michel's) life would be made hell if he comes back to India. It has become true. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/OMYrBm5rEh — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2019 × On Monday, the court asked the jail authorities to submit their reply on the agency's plea and issued a production warrant for Tuesday for Michel after his lawyer alleged mental torture inside the jail. Michel was arrested by ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai. The court previously lashed out at the jail authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the chopper scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.

Met Rakesh Asthana in Dubai, he threatened to make my life hell: Christian Michel tells Delhi court 

The Enforcement Directorate said Monday it has attached a Paris-based property worth Rs 5.83 crore of the ex-wife of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vvip-chopper-case-delhi-court-seeks-tihars-reply-on-eds-plea-to-question-christian-michel-in-jail-202599">Christian Michel</a>, the alleged middleman arrested in the VVIP choppers scam case, under the anti-money laundering law.

It said a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been issued to attach the asset at 45 Avenue, Victor Hugo in France and it is in the name of Ms SCI Solaime and belongs to Michel's ex-wife Valerie Michel.

The Enforcement Directorate alleged that the woman had received "proceeds of crime" of this scam from the accused, Michel.

The agency said its probe found that Michel "had transferred the amount received as kickbacks to various entities, including euro 9,22,185.76 (equivalent to Rs 5,83,40,422) to his ex-wife Valerie Michel and subsequently to SCI Solaime for investment in the&nbsp;purchase of the immovable property."

Michel was extradited from the UAE in December last year and was arrested by the ED. He is in judicial custody.

Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the Rs 3,600-crore case by ED and CBI. The others are foreign nationals - Guido Haschke and Carlos Gerosa.

The ED, in its charge sheet filed against Michel in June 2016, has alleged that he received euro 30 million, about Rs 225 crore, from AgustaWestland, the manufacturer of the helicopters.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate said Monday it has attached a Paris-based property worth Rs 5.83 crore of the ex-wife of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the VVIP choppers scam case, under the anti-money laundering law.

The Enforcement Directorate said Monday it has attached a Paris-based property worth Rs 5.83 crore of the ex-wife of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in the VVIP choppers scam case, under the anti-money laundering law. It said a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been issued to attach the asset at 45 Avenue, Victor Hugo in France and it is in the name of Ms SCI Solaime and belongs to Michel's ex-wife Valerie Michel. The Enforcement Directorate alleged that the woman had received "proceeds of crime" of this scam from the accused, Michel. The agency said its probe found that Michel "had transferred the amount received as kickbacks to various entities, including euro 9,22,185.76 (equivalent to Rs 5,83,40,422) to his ex-wife Valerie Michel and subsequently to SCI Solaime for investment in the purchase of the immovable property." Michel was extradited from the UAE in December last year and was arrested by the ED. He is in judicial custody. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the Rs 3,600-crore case by ED and CBI. The others are foreign nationals - Guido Haschke and Carlos Gerosa. The ED, in its charge sheet filed against Michel in June 2016, has alleged that he received euro 30 million, about Rs 225 crore, from AgustaWestland, the manufacturer of the helicopters.

VVIP choppers case: Enforcement Directorate attaches Paris property of Michel's ex-wife

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a fresh charge sheet against PNB scam accused Nirav Modi under the anti-money laundering law, officials said Monday.

They said the charge sheet or the prosecution complaint has been filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai.

This is a supplementary charge sheet against the diamantaire and few others and the agency has recorded additional evidence gathered in the case and attachments made, they said.

Further details about the contents of the charge sheet are awaited.

The development comes two days after a British daily reported that Nirav Modi, accused in the $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in new diamond business.

The ED had said on March 9 that the United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing the tainted businessman to a court for initiating legal proceedings against him.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed the first charge sheet in this case in May last year.

The agency and the CBI are investigating Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetrate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year.

Nirav Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block in London, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph had reported.

It has also attached his assets worth Rs 1,873.08 crore under the PMLA and has seized assets linked to him and his family worth Rs 489.75 crore.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a fresh charge sheet against PNB scam accused Nirav Modi under the anti-money laundering law, officials said Monday. They said the charge sheet or the prosecution complaint has been filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai.

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a fresh charge sheet against PNB scam accused Nirav Modi under the anti-money laundering law, officials said Monday. They said the charge sheet or the prosecution complaint has been filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai. This is a supplementary charge sheet against the diamantaire and few others and the agency has recorded additional evidence gathered in the case and attachments made, they said. Further details about the contents of the charge sheet are awaited. The development comes two days after a British daily reported that Nirav Modi, accused in the $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is living in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is now involved in new diamond business. The ED had said on March 9 that the United Kingdom's home secretary has recently referred India's request for extraditing the tainted businessman to a court for initiating legal proceedings against him. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed the first charge sheet in this case in May last year. The agency and the CBI are investigating Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others for alleged money laundering and corruption to perpetrate the alleged scam in the Brady House branch of the PNB in Mumbai that was unearthed last year. Nirav Modi, 48, is currently living in a three-bedroom flat occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block in London, where rent is estimated to cost 17,000 pounds a month, The Telegraph had reported. It has also attached his assets worth Rs 1,873.08 crore under the PMLA and has seized assets linked to him and his family worth Rs 489.75 crore.

PNB scam: Enforcement Directorate files fresh charge sheet against Nirav Modi

A Delhi court Monday sought a response from Tihar Jail authorities on the Enforcement Directorate's plea to interrogate Christian Michel, who was arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper case, inside the prison.

The jail authority has been asked to submit its response by Tuesday.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Special Judge Arvind Kumar also issued a production warrant for Tuesday against Michel after his lawyer alleged mental torture inside jail.

He was arrested by the ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai.

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Agusta Westland case:Delhi's Patiala House Court issued notice to Tihar Jail authorities on ED application seeking permission to further question alleged middleman Christian Michel again.Matter is posted for tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/lob7ER1EM4">https://t.co/lob7ER1EM4</a>
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The court had earlier lashed out at the jail's authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response.

Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the scam by ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.&nbsp;

A Delhi court Monday sought a response from Tihar Jail authorities on the Enforcement Directorate's plea to interrogate Christian Michel, who was arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper case, inside the prison.

A Delhi court Monday sought a response from Tihar Jail authorities on the Enforcement Directorate's plea to interrogate Christian Michel, who was arrested in the AgustaWestland chopper case, inside the prison. The jail authority has been asked to submit its response by Tuesday. Special Judge Arvind Kumar also issued a production warrant for Tuesday against Michel after his lawyer alleged mental torture inside jail. He was arrested by the ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai. Agusta Westland case:Delhi's Patiala House Court issued notice to Tihar Jail authorities on ED application seeking permission to further question alleged middleman Christian Michel again.Matter is posted for tomorrow. https://t.co/lob7ER1EM4 — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019 × The court had earlier lashed out at the jail's authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the scam by ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.

VVIP chopper case: Delhi court seeks Tihar's reply on ED's plea to question Christian Michel in jail

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has said the government of United Kingdom has sent an extradition request for fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to a UK court for further proceeding.

In a tweet, the ED said, &nbsp;"The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for further proceedings."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had sent two requests - one from the ED and the other from the CBI - to the government of the UK in July 2018.

MEA spokesperson, in his weekly presser, said, "You are aware we had made a request based on information received by ED and CBI. We had made a request for extradition in August last year. The UK is still considering our request for extradition of Nirav Modi".

Britain's leading daily, The Telegraph, had spotted Nirav Modi walking on a London street. In response to all the question posed by the reporter, Nirav Modi responded saying he has no comments.

Bank fraud fugitive <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/fugitive-nirav-modi-tracked-down-to-8-million-pound-swanky-apartment-in-london-202128">Nirav Modi is said to have been living in a 3-bedroom flat in London</a>, the cost of which is around 17,000 pounds. He was spotted wearing an Ostrich hide jacket worth which is believed to be worth around 9 lakh rupees.

Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are involved in over Rs 13,000 crore scam by duping state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB). While Nirav Modi fled to the UK, Choksi fled to the Caribbean country of Antigua and Barbuda and took its citizenship.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has said the government of United Kingdom has sent an extradition request for fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to a UK court for further proceeding.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has said the government of United Kingdom has sent an extradition request for fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi to a UK court for further proceeding. In a tweet, the ED said, "The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed that the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for further proceedings." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had sent two requests - one from the ED and the other from the CBI - to the government of the UK in July 2018. MEA spokesperson, in his weekly presser, said, "You are aware we had made a request based on information received by ED and CBI. We had made a request for extradition in August last year. The UK is still considering our request for extradition of Nirav Modi". Britain's leading daily, The Telegraph, had spotted Nirav Modi walking on a London street. In response to all the question posed by the reporter, Nirav Modi responded saying he has no comments. Bank fraud fugitive Nirav Modi is said to have been living in a 3-bedroom flat in London, the cost of which is around 17,000 pounds. He was spotted wearing an Ostrich hide jacket worth which is believed to be worth around 9 lakh rupees. Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are involved in over Rs 13,000 crore scam by duping state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB). While Nirav Modi fled to the UK, Choksi fled to the Caribbean country of Antigua and Barbuda and took its citizenship.

Britain sends Nirav Modi extradition request to UK court: Enforcement Directorate 

The sprawling seaside mansion of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2 billion PNB fraud case, was demolished Friday using explosives, Raigad District Collector Vijay Suryawanshi said.

The district collector told PTI that it was controlled blasting.

The senior IAS official had issued the demolition orders after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) handed over the property situated in Raigad district, over 90 km from here.

On Tuesday, excavators were used to open up the pillars of the bungalow, called Roopanya, to make space for fixing the detonators. A special technical team was called to fix them.

Last year, the state government had written to the ED, which had sealed the bungalow, seeking a nod to demolish the property on Kihim beach near Alibaug.

The fixtures from the bungalow will be up for auction. Three items, a jacuzzi, a chandelier, and a Buddha statue, have been kept aside for handing over to the ED, Suryawanshi said.

On January 25, district officials began the demolition work using bulldozers but found it time-consuming due to the RCC construction.

On January 27, structural engineers from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technical University conducted a survey. The experts suggested that the district officers carry out the demolition with the help of controlled blasting.

Modi's bungalow was attached by the ED following his involvement in the Punjab National Bank fraud case. It was handed over to the collector's office on January 24, after the ED seized two trucks full of valuables from the building.&nbsp;

The sprawling seaside mansion of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2 billion PNB fraud case, was demolished Friday using explosives, Raigad District Collector Vijay Suryawanshi said.

The sprawling seaside mansion of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the USD 2 billion PNB fraud case, was demolished Friday using explosives, Raigad District Collector Vijay Suryawanshi said. The district collector told PTI that it was controlled blasting. The senior IAS official had issued the demolition orders after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) handed over the property situated in Raigad district, over 90 km from here. On Tuesday, excavators were used to open up the pillars of the bungalow, called Roopanya, to make space for fixing the detonators. A special technical team was called to fix them. Last year, the state government had written to the ED, which had sealed the bungalow, seeking a nod to demolish the property on Kihim beach near Alibaug. The fixtures from the bungalow will be up for auction. Three items, a jacuzzi, a chandelier, and a Buddha statue, have been kept aside for handing over to the ED, Suryawanshi said. On January 25, district officials began the demolition work using bulldozers but found it time-consuming due to the RCC construction. On January 27, structural engineers from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technical University conducted a survey. The experts suggested that the district officers carry out the demolition with the help of controlled blasting. Modi's bungalow was attached by the ED following his involvement in the Punjab National Bank fraud case. It was handed over to the collector's office on January 24, after the ED seized two trucks full of valuables from the building.

Nirav Modi's seaside bungalow demolished using explosives

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating Philip Morris International Inc and its Indian partner Godfrey Phillips for alleged violation of laws in India, a senior directorate source told Reuters on Thursday.

The Enforcement Directorate has been looking into both the companies and the scope of the investigation is much broader than the alleged foreign investment law violations highlighted in a Reuters story published on Wednesday, the source said.

Philip Morris has for years paid manufacturing costs to Godfrey Phillips to make its Marlboro cigarettes, circumventing a nine-year-old government ban on foreign direct investment in the industry, Reuters reported based on a review of dozens of internal company documents, which were dated between May 2009 and January 2018.

Three former officials and one former head of the Enforcement Directorate had reviewed the Philip Morris documents for Reuters and said the dealings should be investigated for circumventing India's foreign investment rules.

On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate source declined to comment on whether the ongoing investigation included Reuters reporting findings, but said "this is already under investigation."

"Both companies are being looked into," said the source, who declined to be named citing sensitivity of the investigation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating Philip Morris International Inc and its Indian partner Godfrey Phillips for alleged violation of laws in India, a senior directorate source told Reuters on Thursday.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating Philip Morris International Inc and its Indian partner Godfrey Phillips for alleged violation of laws in India, a senior directorate source told Reuters on Thursday. The Enforcement Directorate has been looking into both the companies and the scope of the investigation is much broader than the alleged foreign investment law violations highlighted in a Reuters story published on Wednesday, the source said. Philip Morris has for years paid manufacturing costs to Godfrey Phillips to make its Marlboro cigarettes, circumventing a nine-year-old government ban on foreign direct investment in the industry, Reuters reported based on a review of dozens of internal company documents, which were dated between May 2009 and January 2018. Three former officials and one former head of the Enforcement Directorate had reviewed the Philip Morris documents for Reuters and said the dealings should be investigated for circumventing India's foreign investment rules. On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate source declined to comment on whether the ongoing investigation included Reuters reporting findings, but said "this is already under investigation." "Both companies are being looked into," said the source, who declined to be named citing sensitivity of the investigation.

India's Enforcement Directorate investigates Philip Morris, Godfrey Phillips: Report

Former ICICI Bank managing director and CEO Chanda Kochhar has been called by the Enforcement Directorate, Mumbai for questioning in ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case, news agency ANI reported.

According to reports, Videocon's Venugopal Dhoot has also been called today for questioning.&nbsp;

This comes a day after the ED, on Friday, carried out <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/icici-bank-videocon-case-ed-searches-office-residential-premises-of-chanda-kochhar-dhoot-200421">searches at the premises of Chanda Kochhar and Dhoot</a>.

The raids were carried out in at least five office and residential premises in Mumbai and a few other locations, the officials stated.

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Former ICICI Bank MD &amp; CEO Chanda Kochhar has been called by Enforcement Directorate, Mumbai for questioning in ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case. Videocon's Venugopal Dhoot has also been called today.Yesterday,ED had searched premises of Chanda Kochhar and Venugopal Dhoot.(file pic) <a href="https://t.co/ZxdvmLdtVN">pic.twitter.com/ZxdvmLdtVN</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1101691337601036288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The agency had registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) earlier this month against Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar, Dhoot and others to probe alleged irregularities and corrupt practices in sanctioning of Rs 1,875-crore loans by the ICICI bank to the corporate group.

The CBI had lodged a complaint in the matter last month naming Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar, and Dhoot and his companies -- Videocon International Electronics Ltd (VIEL) and Videocon Industries Limited (VIL).

It is alleged that Dhoot had invested in Deepak Kochhar's company Nupower through his firm Supreme Energy a quid pro quo to loans cleared by ICICI Bank after Chanda Kochhar took over as the CEO of the bank on May 1, 2009.

The CBI also alleged that the ownership of Nupower and Supreme Energy changed hands through a complex web of shared transactions between Deepak Kochhar and Dhoot.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former ICICI Bank managing director and CEO Chanda Kochhar has been called by the Enforcement Directorate, Mumbai for questioning in ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case, news agency ANI reported.

Former ICICI Bank managing director and CEO Chanda Kochhar has been called by the Enforcement Directorate, Mumbai for questioning in ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case, news agency ANI reported. According to reports, Videocon's Venugopal Dhoot has also been called today for questioning. This comes a day after the ED, on Friday, carried out searches at the premises of Chanda Kochhar and Dhoot. The raids were carried out in at least five office and residential premises in Mumbai and a few other locations, the officials stated. Former ICICI Bank MD & CEO Chanda Kochhar has been called by Enforcement Directorate, Mumbai for questioning in ICICI Bank-Videocon loan case. Videocon's Venugopal Dhoot has also been called today.Yesterday,ED had searched premises of Chanda Kochhar and Venugopal Dhoot.(file pic) pic.twitter.com/ZxdvmLdtVN — ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2019 × The agency had registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) earlier this month against Kochhar, her husband Deepak Kochhar, Dhoot and others to probe alleged irregularities and corrupt practices in sanctioning of Rs 1,875-crore loans by the ICICI bank to the corporate group. The CBI had lodged a complaint in the matter last month naming Chanda Kochhar, Deepak Kochhar, and Dhoot and his companies -- Videocon International Electronics Ltd (VIEL) and Videocon Industries Limited (VIL). It is alleged that Dhoot had invested in Deepak Kochhar's company Nupower through his firm Supreme Energy a quid pro quo to loans cleared by ICICI Bank after Chanda Kochhar took over as the CEO of the bank on May 1, 2009. The CBI also alleged that the ownership of Nupower and Supreme Energy changed hands through a complex web of shared transactions between Deepak Kochhar and Dhoot. (With inputs from agencies)

ICICI bank-Videocon case: Chanda Kochhar, Dhoot to be questioned by ED today 

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide the hard copies of the seized&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/money-laundering-case-robert-vadra-moves-application-in-delhi-court-seeking-copy-of-documents-with-ed-199195">documents to Robert Vadra</a>'s legal team within five days. The documents in question were seized during the raids conducted at Vadra's offices last year.

The court will hear Vadra's second application, seeking stay on interrogation, at 2 pm today. Vadra does not need to join the interrogation until the documents are not provided.

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Delhi's Patiala House Court directs the Enforcement Directorate to provide the hard copies of the documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within 5 days, in connection with the money laundering case. <a href="https://t.co/QM2Uu5E6if">https://t.co/QM2Uu5E6if</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1099903195290234881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Vadra on Saturday moved an application in the court, seeking a copy of documents seized by the agency last year.

On December 7 last year, the agency had carried out raids at Vadra's offices at Delhi.&nbsp;

Vadra has appeared before the ED for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur.

The money laundering cases being probed by the ED relates to the purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad and an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

The court had on February 16 extended the interim bail granted to Vadra till March 2.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide the hard copies of the seized documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within five days.

Delhi's Patiala House Court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide the hard copies of the seized documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within five days. The documents in question were seized during the raids conducted at Vadra's offices last year. The court will hear Vadra's second application, seeking stay on interrogation, at 2 pm today. Vadra does not need to join the interrogation until the documents are not provided. Delhi's Patiala House Court directs the Enforcement Directorate to provide the hard copies of the documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within 5 days, in connection with the money laundering case. https://t.co/QM2Uu5E6if — ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2019 × Vadra on Saturday moved an application in the court, seeking a copy of documents seized by the agency last year. On December 7 last year, the agency had carried out raids at Vadra's offices at Delhi. Vadra has appeared before the ED for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur. The money laundering cases being probed by the ED relates to the purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad and an alleged land scam in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The court had on February 16 extended the interim bail granted to Vadra till March 2. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi court directs ED to provide copies of seized documents to Robert Vadra's legal team

Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case probe, officials said.

He reached the agency's office at Jamnagar House in central Delhi at about 10:30 am along with his lawyers, they said.

This is a scheduled appearance of Vadra before the investigating officer (IO) of the case in a criminal complaint related to allegations of money laundering to purchase assets abroad.

He had skipped the summons Tuesday, citing bad health.

Vadra has been questioned by the ED in this case for 23 hours over three days of deposition earlier this month.

He has been asked by a Delhi court to cooperate in the probe being conducted by the central probe agency.

The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.

The agency had told the court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties.

Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him. He said he was being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends.

Vadra's statement is being recorded under Section 50 (powers of authorities regarding summons, production of documents and to give evidence) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

His first appearance before the ED earlier this month acquired political overtones after his wife Priyanka Gandhi, recently appointed Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, accompanied him to the investigating agency's office on one day while she picked him up after questioning the next time.

Vadra had similarly deposed before the ED twice in Jaipur in an another money-laundering case related to an alleged land scam in Bikaner.

Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case probe, officials said.

Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Wednesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case probe, officials said. He reached the agency's office at Jamnagar House in central Delhi at about 10:30 am along with his lawyers, they said. This is a scheduled appearance of Vadra before the investigating officer (IO) of the case in a criminal complaint related to allegations of money laundering to purchase assets abroad. He had skipped the summons Tuesday, citing bad health. Vadra has been questioned by the ED in this case for 23 hours over three days of deposition earlier this month. He has been asked by a Delhi court to cooperate in the probe being conducted by the central probe agency. The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him. The agency had told the court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties. Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him. He said he was being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends. Vadra's statement is being recorded under Section 50 (powers of authorities regarding summons, production of documents and to give evidence) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). His first appearance before the ED earlier this month acquired political overtones after his wife Priyanka Gandhi, recently appointed Congress general secretary in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, accompanied him to the investigating agency's office on one day while she picked him up after questioning the next time. Vadra had similarly deposed before the ED twice in Jaipur in an another money-laundering case related to an alleged land scam in Bikaner.

Robert Vadra appears before ED in money laundering case probe

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-extends-robert-vadras-interim-bail-till-march-2-directs-him-to-join-probe-197796">Robert Vadra</a>'s lawyer KTS Tulsi on Tuesday informed&nbsp;Enforcement Directorate&nbsp;(ED) that&nbsp;Vadra was suffering from acute diarrhoea and will not be able to attend the&nbsp;hearing today.

''Vadra is not able to attend the hearing today for which he had been summoned by ED because he suffered about a food poisoning last night as a result of which he is having acute diarrhoea &amp; nausea," KTS Tulsi said.

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Money laundering case: Robert Vadra's lawyer KTS Tulsi says, "Robert Vadra is not able to attend the hearing today for which he had been summoned by ED because he suffered about a food poisoning last night as a result of which he is having acute diarrhoea &amp; nausea." <a href="https://t.co/Be8mDGKoVk">pic.twitter.com/Be8mDGKoVk</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1097752313064771584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The ED&nbsp;on Munday summoned UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law to appear before it today for questioning in money laundering case linked to purchase of his London based property.

A Delhi court had over the weekend extended interim bail of Vadra and his close aide Manoj Arora till March 2 in connection with the case.

Robert Vadra's lawyer KTS Tulsi on Tuesday informed Enforcement Directorate (ED) that Vadra was suffering from acute diarrhoea and will not be able to attend the hearing today.

Robert Vadra's lawyer KTS Tulsi on Tuesday informed Enforcement Directorate (ED) that Vadra was suffering from acute diarrhoea and will not be able to attend the hearing today. ''Vadra is not able to attend the hearing today for which he had been summoned by ED because he suffered about a food poisoning last night as a result of which he is having acute diarrhoea & nausea," KTS Tulsi said. Money laundering case: Robert Vadra's lawyer KTS Tulsi says, "Robert Vadra is not able to attend the hearing today for which he had been summoned by ED because he suffered about a food poisoning last night as a result of which he is having acute diarrhoea & nausea." pic.twitter.com/Be8mDGKoVk — ANI (@ANI) February 19, 2019 × The ED on Munday summoned UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law to appear before it today for questioning in money laundering case linked to purchase of his London based property. A Delhi court had over the weekend extended interim bail of Vadra and his close aide Manoj Arora till March 2 in connection with the case.

Robert Vadra suffering from diarrhoea, hence will not attend hearing today: Lawyer

Robert Vadra's interim bail was Saturday extended till March 2 in a money laundering case by a Delhi court which asked him to join the probe whenever asked to, after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that he was not cooperating in the matter.&nbsp;

Vadra, who appeared in court, sought an extension of the interim bail after the ED requested for more time to file a reply to his anticipatory bail plea.

Special judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and said the interim orders of protection from arrest will continue till the next date of hearing.

The court also extended the protection from arrest granted to his close aide and co-accused in the case, Manoj Arora, till the next date of hearing i.E., March 2.

ED's Special Public Prosecutors D P Singh and Nitesh Rana told the court that it needed to question Vadra in the case and opposed his anticipatory bail plea, saying that he was not cooperating in the case.

The agency also said that Vadra has been summoned for further questioning on Tuesday.

"Vadra is not cooperating and giving evasive replies," Nitesh Rana told the court.

The businessman, represented through senior advocate KTS Tulsi, however, denied the charge and said he was ready to come for questioning as and when called.

"The counsel submitted that the applicant <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bikaner-land-case-ed-attaches-assets-worth-rs-462-crore-of-vadras-company-197664">Robert Vadra</a> has already joined the investigation and has cooperated during the investigation. Counsel submitted that the applicant will join the investigation as and when directed by the investigating officer and is ready to cooperate. Under the facts and circumstances, the applicant is directed to join the investigation as and when called by the IO," the court said.

Singh told the court that Vadra is accompanied by a 'baraat' (wedding procession) wherever he goes, whether to the agency office or to the court.

"There are some people who always come with a 'baraat', Vadra is one of them," he said, adding that by 'baraat' he was referring to the media.

The lawyer alleged that Vadra was using social media, including Facebook, for writing about the case and highlighting the matter.&nbsp;

Vadra had filed an anticipatory bail application in the case linked to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds. The property is allegedly owned by him.

The agency had earlier said it has received information about various new properties in London which allegedly belong to Vadra, including two houses of five and four million pounds, each, six other flats and more properties.

In his anticipatory bail plea, Vadra had alleged that he was being subjected to "unwarranted, unjustified and malicious criminal prosecution which on the face of it is completely politically motivated and is being carried out for reasons other than those prescribed under the law".

The plea had said Vadra's office was raided by the ED on December 7, 2018, and, therefore, he seriously apprehends that his liberty may be curtailed by the investigating agency.

"The petitioner (Vadra) is being subjected to a farce criminal prosecution which actually is beset with nothing else except political vendetta and most, unfortunately, the respondent (ED) being the law enforcement agency is a party to the unethical and illegal exercise.

"It is stated that the petitioner's (Vadra's) firm through its authorised representative Manoj Arora has already joined investigation with the ED conducting investigation into the affairs of the firm in Rajasthan with their offices at Jaipur on many occasions and has supplied all the relevant documents to the satisfaction of the officials of the ED," the plea had said.

Arora, an employee of Vadra's Skylight Hospitality LLP, was a key person in the case and he was aware of the latter's overseas undeclared assets and was instrumental in arranging funds, the ED had alleged.

Vadra had alleged that he is being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends.

"It is stated the petitioner has the highest regard for the due process of law and is always willing to cooperate with the investigation. In the highly charged political atmosphere and political contours of the present investigation, he seriously apprehends arrest by the investigating authorities," his plea read.

Arora had alleged before the court that the case was foisted on him by the NDA government out of "political vendetta".

However, the ED had refuted the allegations, asking that "should no authority investigate any political bigwig because that will be called a political vendetta?"

The agency had told the court that it lodged the money laundering case against Arora after his role came up during the probe of another case by the Income Tax Department under the newly enacted Black Money Act and tax law against absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari.

It had alleged that the London-based property was bought by Bhandari for GBP 1.9 million and sold in 2010 for the same amount despite incurring additional expenses of approximately GBP 65,900 on its renovation.

"This gives credence to the fact that Bhandari was not the actual owner of the property but it was beneficially owned by Vadra who was incurring expenditure on the renovation of this property," the ED had told the court.

Robert Vadra's interim bail was Saturday extended till March 2 in a money laundering case by a Delhi court which asked him to join the probe whenever asked to, after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that he was not cooperating in the matter.

Robert Vadra's interim bail was Saturday extended till March 2 in a money laundering case by a Delhi court which asked him to join the probe whenever asked to, after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that he was not cooperating in the matter. Vadra, who appeared in court, sought an extension of the interim bail after the ED requested for more time to file a reply to his anticipatory bail plea. Special judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and said the interim orders of protection from arrest will continue till the next date of hearing. The court also extended the protection from arrest granted to his close aide and co-accused in the case, Manoj Arora, till the next date of hearing i.E., March 2. ED's Special Public Prosecutors D P Singh and Nitesh Rana told the court that it needed to question Vadra in the case and opposed his anticipatory bail plea, saying that he was not cooperating in the case. The agency also said that Vadra has been summoned for further questioning on Tuesday. "Vadra is not cooperating and giving evasive replies," Nitesh Rana told the court. The businessman, represented through senior advocate KTS Tulsi, however, denied the charge and said he was ready to come for questioning as and when called. "The counsel submitted that the applicant Robert Vadra has already joined the investigation and has cooperated during the investigation. Counsel submitted that the applicant will join the investigation as and when directed by the investigating officer and is ready to cooperate. Under the facts and circumstances, the applicant is directed to join the investigation as and when called by the IO," the court said. Singh told the court that Vadra is accompanied by a 'baraat' (wedding procession) wherever he goes, whether to the agency office or to the court. "There are some people who always come with a 'baraat', Vadra is one of them," he said, adding that by 'baraat' he was referring to the media. The lawyer alleged that Vadra was using social media, including Facebook, for writing about the case and highlighting the matter. Vadra had filed an anticipatory bail application in the case linked to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds. The property is allegedly owned by him. The agency had earlier said it has received information about various new properties in London which allegedly belong to Vadra, including two houses of five and four million pounds, each, six other flats and more properties. In his anticipatory bail plea, Vadra had alleged that he was being subjected to "unwarranted, unjustified and malicious criminal prosecution which on the face of it is completely politically motivated and is being carried out for reasons other than those prescribed under the law". The plea had said Vadra's office was raided by the ED on December 7, 2018, and, therefore, he seriously apprehends that his liberty may be curtailed by the investigating agency. "The petitioner (Vadra) is being subjected to a farce criminal prosecution which actually is beset with nothing else except political vendetta and most, unfortunately, the respondent (ED) being the law enforcement agency is a party to the unethical and illegal exercise. "It is stated that the petitioner's (Vadra's) firm through its authorised representative Manoj Arora has already joined investigation with the ED conducting investigation into the affairs of the firm in Rajasthan with their offices at Jaipur on many occasions and has supplied all the relevant documents to the satisfaction of the officials of the ED," the plea had said. Arora, an employee of Vadra's Skylight Hospitality LLP, was a key person in the case and he was aware of the latter's overseas undeclared assets and was instrumental in arranging funds, the ED had alleged. Vadra had alleged that he is being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends. "It is stated the petitioner has the highest regard for the due process of law and is always willing to cooperate with the investigation. In the highly charged political atmosphere and political contours of the present investigation, he seriously apprehends arrest by the investigating authorities," his plea read. Arora had alleged before the court that the case was foisted on him by the NDA government out of "political vendetta". However, the ED had refuted the allegations, asking that "should no authority investigate any political bigwig because that will be called a political vendetta?" The agency had told the court that it lodged the money laundering case against Arora after his role came up during the probe of another case by the Income Tax Department under the newly enacted Black Money Act and tax law against absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. It had alleged that the London-based property was bought by Bhandari for GBP 1.9 million and sold in 2010 for the same amount despite incurring additional expenses of approximately GBP 65,900 on its renovation. "This gives credence to the fact that Bhandari was not the actual owner of the property but it was beneficially owned by Vadra who was incurring expenditure on the renovation of this property," the ED had told the court.

Delhi: Court extends Robert Vadra's interim bail till March 2, directs him to join probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of a firm linked to Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, in connection with the Bikaner land scam money laundering case.

"The attached assets include movable assets amounting to Rs 18,59,500 pertaining to four individuals and one immovable property situated at 268, Sukhdev Vihar in New Delhi to the extent of Rs 4,43,36,550 owned by Robert Vadra's company Ms Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd (now LLP)," the agency said.

The ED issued a provisional order for attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

It had grilled Vadra in this case in Jaipur twice last week. His mother Maureen was also asked to depose but was allowed to go after completion of brief legal procedures.

The ED had registered a criminal case in connection with the deal in 2015, taking cognisance of a clutch of FIRs and charge sheets filed by Rajasthan Police after the tehsildar of Bikaner complained about alleged forgery in the allotment of land in the area, considered sensitive due to its proximity to the Indo-Pak border.

Probe revealed, the ED said, that the central government had acquired land of as many as 34 villages in Bikaner district for the purpose of establishment of Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR) and the state government proposed for rehabilitation of the displaced people by providing land equivalent to their acquired land.

"Fraudster Jai Prakash Bagrwa and others in collusion with state government officials got 1,422 bigha government land illegally allotted to fictitious persons in guise of a government scheme for people displaced due to establishment of MFFR and illegally sold 1,372 bigha out of this land to various persons and companies," it said.

On detection of fraud, impugned land was recorded back as government land in revenue records by Rajasthan great, the ED said.

Subsequently, it said, these impugned fraudulent lands were further sold by subsequent purchasers to individuals and companies and all these subsequent sellers of the impugned land generated a considerable amount of profit.

"These fraudulently generated profit by these entities is nothing but proceeds of crime as defined under the PMLA and Vadra's company Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd had purchased 275 Bigha (69.55 hectare) fraudulent land for Rs 72 lakh and sold the same for Rs 5.15 crore to Allegeny Finlease (P) Ltd and illegally generated profit of Rs 4.43 crore," he said.

Four other individuals had also generated profit of Rs 18.59 lakh in sale of impugned fraudulent land, it said.

The ED has filed charge sheet in this case against 9 accused and the total attachment in this case stands at Rs 6.44 crore now.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of a firm linked to Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, in connection with the Bikaner land scam money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of a firm linked to Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, in connection with the Bikaner land scam money laundering case. "The attached assets include movable assets amounting to Rs 18,59,500 pertaining to four individuals and one immovable property situated at 268, Sukhdev Vihar in New Delhi to the extent of Rs 4,43,36,550 owned by Robert Vadra's company Ms Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd (now LLP)," the agency said. The ED issued a provisional order for attachment under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It had grilled Vadra in this case in Jaipur twice last week. His mother Maureen was also asked to depose but was allowed to go after completion of brief legal procedures. The ED had registered a criminal case in connection with the deal in 2015, taking cognisance of a clutch of FIRs and charge sheets filed by Rajasthan Police after the tehsildar of Bikaner complained about alleged forgery in the allotment of land in the area, considered sensitive due to its proximity to the Indo-Pak border. Probe revealed, the ED said, that the central government had acquired land of as many as 34 villages in Bikaner district for the purpose of establishment of Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR) and the state government proposed for rehabilitation of the displaced people by providing land equivalent to their acquired land. "Fraudster Jai Prakash Bagrwa and others in collusion with state government officials got 1,422 bigha government land illegally allotted to fictitious persons in guise of a government scheme for people displaced due to establishment of MFFR and illegally sold 1,372 bigha out of this land to various persons and companies," it said. On detection of fraud, impugned land was recorded back as government land in revenue records by Rajasthan great, the ED said. Subsequently, it said, these impugned fraudulent lands were further sold by subsequent purchasers to individuals and companies and all these subsequent sellers of the impugned land generated a considerable amount of profit. "These fraudulently generated profit by these entities is nothing but proceeds of crime as defined under the PMLA and Vadra's company Sky Light Hospitality (P) Ltd had purchased 275 Bigha (69.55 hectare) fraudulent land for Rs 72 lakh and sold the same for Rs 5.15 crore to Allegeny Finlease (P) Ltd and illegally generated profit of Rs 4.43 crore," he said. Four other individuals had also generated profit of Rs 18.59 lakh in sale of impugned fraudulent land, it said. The ED has filed charge sheet in this case against 9 accused and the total attachment in this case stands at Rs 6.44 crore now.

Bikaner land case: ED attaches assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of Vadra's company

Businessman Robert Vadra was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday for the third time in a week in Delhi in a money laundering case.

Vadra, son-in-law of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, reached ED’s office at Jamnagar House in central Delhi around 10.45 am on Saturday morning.

Earlier in the day, Congress leader and Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu reached Vadra's residence to meet him.

ED officials had quizzed Vadra on Wednesday and Thursday as well.

On Thursday, his questioning started at around 9.20 am. It was only around 9.20 pm that his wife and now Congress general secretary Priyanka Vadra reached the ED office and thereafter, the duo headed back to their residence in their heavily guarded convoy as per their entitlements.

Vadra’s lawyer KTS Tulsi alleged that the ED was leaking information about his questioning. He claimed that the probe agency has nothing concrete against his client.

Vadra was questioned for around six hours for the first time on Wednesday.

The probe agency has alleged that Vadra owns several properties in the United Kingdom.

Led by a Joint Director, the ED team comprising a Deputy Director and five other officers questioned Vadra.

The Patiala House court has granted interim bail to Vadra on February 2 till February 16 in connection with the case.&nbsp;

Businessman Robert Vadra was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday for the third time in a week in Delhi in a money laundering case. Vadra, son-in-law of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, reached ED’s office at Jamnagar House in central Delhi around 10.

Businessman Robert Vadra was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate on Saturday for the third time in a week in Delhi in a money laundering case. Vadra, son-in-law of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, reached ED’s office at Jamnagar House in central Delhi around 10.45 am on Saturday morning. Earlier in the day, Congress leader and Punjab cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu reached Vadra's residence to meet him. ED officials had quizzed Vadra on Wednesday and Thursday as well. On Thursday, his questioning started at around 9.20 am. It was only around 9.20 pm that his wife and now Congress general secretary Priyanka Vadra reached the ED office and thereafter, the duo headed back to their residence in their heavily guarded convoy as per their entitlements. Vadra’s lawyer KTS Tulsi alleged that the ED was leaking information about his questioning. He claimed that the probe agency has nothing concrete against his client. Vadra was questioned for around six hours for the first time on Wednesday. The probe agency has alleged that Vadra owns several properties in the United Kingdom. Led by a Joint Director, the ED team comprising a Deputy Director and five other officers questioned Vadra. The Patiala House court has granted interim bail to Vadra on February 2 till February 16 in connection with the case.

ED grills Vadra for third time in week in money laundering case

A Delhi court Friday extended by four days the ED custody of Rajeev Saxena, arrested in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland money laundering case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought his further custody before the court, saying the probe is at a crucial stage.

The court had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajiv-saxena-co-accused-in-agustawestland-sent-to-4-days-of-ed-remand-194108">earlier extended the custody</a> by as many days after ED had said that he was required for confronting him with Gautam Khaitan, a Delhi-based lawyer and a co-accused who was arrested in the case and is in the agency's custody.

ED alleged that in connivance with Khaitan, Saxena provided a global corporate structure for laundering illegal proceeds of the crime for payment to various political persons, bureaucrats and Air Force officials to influence the contract to supply 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland.

Saxena is one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by the ED. Christian Michel, former AgustaWestland and Finmeccanica directors Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini, Tyagi and Saxena's wife Shivani have also been named by the agency.

A Delhi court Friday extended by four days the ED custody of Rajeev Saxena, arrested in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought his further custody before the court, saying the probe is at a crucial stage.

A Delhi court Friday extended by four days the ED custody of Rajeev Saxena, arrested in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought his further custody before the court, saying the probe is at a crucial stage. The court had earlier extended the custody by as many days after ED had said that he was required for confronting him with Gautam Khaitan, a Delhi-based lawyer and a co-accused who was arrested in the case and is in the agency's custody. ED alleged that in connivance with Khaitan, Saxena provided a global corporate structure for laundering illegal proceeds of the crime for payment to various political persons, bureaucrats and Air Force officials to influence the contract to supply 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland. Saxena is one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by the ED. Christian Michel, former AgustaWestland and Finmeccanica directors Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini, Tyagi and Saxena's wife Shivani have also been named by the agency.

VVIP Chopper case: Court extends Rajeev Saxena's ED custody by 4 days

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-top-court-tells-army-to-stay-out-of-politics-media-195566">Pakistan Supreme Court tells </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-top-court-tells-army-to-stay-out-of-politics-media-195566">army</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-top-court-tells-army-to-stay-out-of-politics-media-195566"> to stay out of politics, media</a>

Pakistan's Supreme Court rebuked the country's powerful military and intelligence agencies Wednesday, calling for them to uphold free speech and stay out of politics in a country ruled by the generals for nearly half its existence.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/robert-vadra-reaches-ed-office-195573">Money-laundering case: Robert Vadra at ED office, is being questioned by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/robert-vadra-reaches-ed-office-195573">team</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/robert-vadra-reaches-ed-office-195573"> of 7</a>

Robert Vadra arrived at the Delhi offices of the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday to be questioned in connection with a money-laundering case. the case relates to the alleged possession of illegal foreign assets.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-wont-re-open-brexit-deal-hope-may-will-have-new-proposals-donald-tusk-195619">Will not reopen Brexit deal, hope May has new proposals: European Union</a>

European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday he hoped British Prime Minister Theresa May would come to Brussels on Thursday with "realistic suggestions" on how to break the Brexit impasse as the EU would not re-open the Brexit deal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/with-eight-batsmen-we-should-be-able-to-chase-big-totals-rohit-sharma-195597">India captain Rohit Sharma blames batsmen for 1st T20I loss to New Zealand</a>

India skipper Rohit Sharma Wednesday said that a line-up with eight specialist batsmen should have chased down the 220-run target set by New Zealand, however steep it might have looked for a T20 match.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sabarimala-row-support-supreme-court-verdict-will-lift-ban-on-entry-of-women-says-temple-board-195559">Sabarimala Board tells Supreme Court: Support your verdict, will allow entry of women into temple</a>

In a massive U-turn, the Travancore Dewasom Board, which runs Kerala's Sabarimala temple, told the Supreme Court Wednesday that it now supports the court's September 28, 2018 verdict allowing all women into the shrine.

Pakistan Supreme Court tells army to stay out of politics, media Pakistan's Supreme Court rebuked the country's powerful military and intelligence agencies Wednesday, calling for them to uphold free speech and stay out of politics in a country ruled by the generals for nearly half its existence.

Pakistan Supreme Court tells army to stay out of politics, media Pakistan's Supreme Court rebuked the country's powerful military and intelligence agencies Wednesday, calling for them to uphold free speech and stay out of politics in a country ruled by the generals for nearly half its existence. Money-laundering case: Robert Vadra at ED office, is being questioned by team of 7 Robert Vadra arrived at the Delhi offices of the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday to be questioned in connection with a money-laundering case. the case relates to the alleged possession of illegal foreign assets. Will not reopen Brexit deal, hope May has new proposals: European Union European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday he hoped British Prime Minister Theresa May would come to Brussels on Thursday with "realistic suggestions" on how to break the Brexit impasse as the EU would not re-open the Brexit deal. India captain Rohit Sharma blames batsmen for 1st T20I loss to New Zealand India skipper Rohit Sharma Wednesday said that a line-up with eight specialist batsmen should have chased down the 220-run target set by New Zealand, however steep it might have looked for a T20 match. Sabarimala Board tells Supreme Court: Support your verdict, will allow entry of women into temple In a massive U-turn, the Travancore Dewasom Board, which runs Kerala's Sabarimala temple, told the Supreme Court Wednesday that it now supports the court's September 28, 2018 verdict allowing all women into the shrine.

News brief: Big stories of the day

A Delhi court on Saturday extended by six days the ED custody of lawyer Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, in connection with a fresh case of alleged possession of black money and money laundering.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar extended the ED custody of Khaitan, who was already being prosecuted in a case related to AgustaWestland and was out on bail.

The court also directed the agency to take medical care of Khaitan after he complained that he was not able to sleep properly.&nbsp;

The court had earlier sent him to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody after the agency alleged that he was operating and holding a number of foreign accounts illegally and thereby possessing black money and stashing assets.

The fresh criminal case under the PMLA was filed by the ED against Khaitan on the basis of a case filed by the Income Tax Department against him under Section 51 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.

A Delhi court on Saturday extended by six days the ED custody of lawyer Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, in connection with a fresh case of alleged possession of black money and money laundering.

A Delhi court on Saturday extended by six days the ED custody of lawyer Gautam Khaitan, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, in connection with a fresh case of alleged possession of black money and money laundering. Special Judge Arvind Kumar extended the ED custody of Khaitan, who was already being prosecuted in a case related to AgustaWestland and was out on bail. The court also directed the agency to take medical care of Khaitan after he complained that he was not able to sleep properly. The court had earlier sent him to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody after the agency alleged that he was operating and holding a number of foreign accounts illegally and thereby possessing black money and stashing assets. The fresh criminal case under the PMLA was filed by the ED against Khaitan on the basis of a case filed by the Income Tax Department against him under Section 51 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.

Delhi court extends ED custody of Gautam Khaitan by 6 days in fresh money laundering case

A Delhi Court on Monday granted another five days remand of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-sends-agustawestland-scam-accused-gautam-khaitan-to-2-day-ed-custody-192985">Gautam Khaitan to Enforcement Directorate</a> (ED) in a black money case.

The Court took the decision under the Black Money Act.

During the hearing, ED argued that at this stage it can't supply the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to the accused since it`s an internal document. It also asserted that a list of documents has been submitted to the court.

Claiming that more than Rs 800 crore of Indian rupees was under the radar, the probe agency had sought seven days custody of Gautam Khaitan.

Arguing for the need of a remand, the ED counsel said, "In these days we have found evidence of different entries in other accounts. If he goes out he will close the accounts, and our probe will be hampered."

ED lawyer also argued that there was huge tempering of evidence and if the agency doesn`t get the opportunity of questioning the accused in the custody, the investigation will be hampered.

Counsel for Gautam Khaitan, Pramod Kumar Dubey raised questioned on his clients' arrest and claimed that he was arrested from the airport in a hurry.“He was not fleeing from the justice and he has been pressurised to give some info of the defence Deal,” Khaitan’s counsel argued in the court.

The Central government agency had sought Khaitan’s custody to unravel the conspiracy regarding his alleged unidentified assets of more than Rs 500 crore. It is worth mentioning that Khaitan is also an accused in multi-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal kickback case.

Last week, the Income Tax Department sleuths had raided offices and various other properties in Delhi-NCR belonging to him. I-T Dept claims to have gathered evidence against Khaitan for allegedly receiving kickbacks in other defence deals too, besides AgustaWestland during the UPA tenure.

On the recommendation of the I-T Department, ED had registered a case against him under the Black Money Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

A Delhi Court on Monday granted another five days remand of Gautam Khaitan to Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a black money case. The Court took the decision under the Black Money Act.

A Delhi Court on Monday granted another five days remand of Gautam Khaitan to Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a black money case. The Court took the decision under the Black Money Act. During the hearing, ED argued that at this stage it can't supply the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to the accused since it`s an internal document. It also asserted that a list of documents has been submitted to the court. Claiming that more than Rs 800 crore of Indian rupees was under the radar, the probe agency had sought seven days custody of Gautam Khaitan. Arguing for the need of a remand, the ED counsel said, "In these days we have found evidence of different entries in other accounts. If he goes out he will close the accounts, and our probe will be hampered." ED lawyer also argued that there was huge tempering of evidence and if the agency doesn`t get the opportunity of questioning the accused in the custody, the investigation will be hampered. Counsel for Gautam Khaitan, Pramod Kumar Dubey raised questioned on his clients' arrest and claimed that he was arrested from the airport in a hurry.“He was not fleeing from the justice and he has been pressurised to give some info of the defence Deal,” Khaitan’s counsel argued in the court. The Central government agency had sought Khaitan’s custody to unravel the conspiracy regarding his alleged unidentified assets of more than Rs 500 crore. It is worth mentioning that Khaitan is also an accused in multi-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal kickback case. Last week, the Income Tax Department sleuths had raided offices and various other properties in Delhi-NCR belonging to him. I-T Dept claims to have gathered evidence against Khaitan for allegedly receiving kickbacks in other defence deals too, besides AgustaWestland during the UPA tenure. On the recommendation of the I-T Department, ED had registered a case against him under the Black Money Act.

Delhi court sends AgustaWestland scam accused Gautam Khaitan on 5-day ED remand

The Enforcement Directorate Thursday conducted multiple searches across various states in connection with its money laundering probe into the Rs 1,500 crore Gomti riverfront development project in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow, official sources said.

They said the raids were being carried out in various premises of the accused and their associates in Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Noida), Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, by a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials assisted by local police.

The teams are looking for documents and evidence, they said.

The central probe agency had filed a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in this instance in March last year. The ED case was filed after taking cognisance of a CBI FIR.

The CBI had taken over the investigation after the present Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh ordered an inquiry into the beautification project of the Gomti riverfront.

The project was carried out by the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) dispensation.

The Uttar Pradesh government had asked for an investigation into irregularities committed with a "criminal intent" in the implementation of the Gomti River Channelisation Project and the Gomti River Front Development by the state's Department of Irrigation.

The CBI had filed an FIR against then chief engineers Gulesh Chandra, S N Sharma, Qazim Ali, then superintendent engineers Mangal Yadav, Akhil Raman, Kamaleshwar Singh, Roop Singh Yadav and executive engineer Surendra Yadav.

Gulesh Chandra, Mangal Yadav, Akhil Raman and Roop Singh Yadav have retired.

The state government had constituted a committee under retired Allahabad High Court judge Alok Kumar Singh, which had indicated prima facie irregularities in the project in its report dated May 16, 2017.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had registered a case on June 19 on the basis of this report.

The state government subsequently sought a CBI probe into the matter in July 2017.

The Centre referred the matter to the CBI on November 24, 2017 on the basis of which the agency took over the investigation in the matter.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate Thursday conducted multiple searches across various states in connection with its money laundering probe into the Rs 1,500 crore Gomti riverfront development project in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow, official sources said.

The Enforcement Directorate Thursday conducted multiple searches across various states in connection with its money laundering probe into the Rs 1,500 crore Gomti riverfront development project in Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow, official sources said. They said the raids were being carried out in various premises of the accused and their associates in Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Noida), Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan, by a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials assisted by local police. The teams are looking for documents and evidence, they said. The central probe agency had filed a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in this instance in March last year. The ED case was filed after taking cognisance of a CBI FIR. The CBI had taken over the investigation after the present Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh ordered an inquiry into the beautification project of the Gomti riverfront. The project was carried out by the previous Samajwadi Party (SP) dispensation. The Uttar Pradesh government had asked for an investigation into irregularities committed with a "criminal intent" in the implementation of the Gomti River Channelisation Project and the Gomti River Front Development by the state's Department of Irrigation. The CBI had filed an FIR against then chief engineers Gulesh Chandra, S N Sharma, Qazim Ali, then superintendent engineers Mangal Yadav, Akhil Raman, Kamaleshwar Singh, Roop Singh Yadav and executive engineer Surendra Yadav. Gulesh Chandra, Mangal Yadav, Akhil Raman and Roop Singh Yadav have retired. The state government had constituted a committee under retired Allahabad High Court judge Alok Kumar Singh, which had indicated prima facie irregularities in the project in its report dated May 16, 2017. The Uttar Pradesh Police had registered a case on June 19 on the basis of this report. The state government subsequently sought a CBI probe into the matter in July 2017. The Centre referred the matter to the CBI on November 24, 2017 on the basis of which the agency took over the investigation in the matter.

ED raids in multiple states in Gomti riverfront PMLA case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday said it has attached a factory in Thailand worth over Rs 13 crore of a Gitanjali group company, owned by absconding diamond jeweller Mehul Choksi, in connection with the alleged USD 2 billion PNB fraud case.

The agency said it has issued a provisional order for attachment, under the PMLA, of the factory premise owned by Abbeycrest (Thailand) Limited which is a "group company" of the Gitanjali group of companies.

"Investigations under PMLA revealed that Abbeycrest (Thailand) Limited is the beneficiary of the LoUs (Letters of Undertaking) issued fraudulently and unauthorisedly from the PNB to the tune of Rs 92.3 crore.&nbsp;

"During the probe, this overseas property has been identified and after gathering concrete evidence of ownership it has been attached," the ED said in a statement.

The value of the property is Rs 13.14 crore, it added. The ED is probing this case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Officials said ED investigators will soon get issued Letters Rogatories (judicial requests) for the legal formalisation of the attachment of the foreign-based asset.&nbsp; 
Choksi, his nephew and diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, and others are being probed under various criminal laws after the fraud came to light, following a complaint from the Punjab National Bank (PNB) that they allegedly cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of over Rs 13,000 crore, with the purported involvement of some of its employees.

Both Choksi and Modi are absconding since the case was registered by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Choksi was last reported to be in the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda.

"With this attachment, the value of attachment/seizure in the PNB scam is to the tune of Rs 4,765 crore (approx). Further investigation is in the process," the ED said.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday said it has attached a factory in Thailand worth over Rs 13 crore of a Gitanjali group company, owned by absconding diamond jeweller Mehul Choksi, in connection with the alleged USD 2 billion PNB fraud case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday said it has attached a factory in Thailand worth over Rs 13 crore of a Gitanjali group company, owned by absconding diamond jeweller Mehul Choksi, in connection with the alleged USD 2 billion PNB fraud case. The agency said it has issued a provisional order for attachment, under the PMLA, of the factory premise owned by Abbeycrest (Thailand) Limited which is a "group company" of the Gitanjali group of companies. "Investigations under PMLA revealed that Abbeycrest (Thailand) Limited is the beneficiary of the LoUs (Letters of Undertaking) issued fraudulently and unauthorisedly from the PNB to the tune of Rs 92.3 crore. "During the probe, this overseas property has been identified and after gathering concrete evidence of ownership it has been attached," the ED said in a statement. The value of the property is Rs 13.14 crore, it added. The ED is probing this case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials said ED investigators will soon get issued Letters Rogatories (judicial requests) for the legal formalisation of the attachment of the foreign-based asset. Choksi, his nephew and diamond jeweller Nirav Modi, and others are being probed under various criminal laws after the fraud came to light, following a complaint from the Punjab National Bank (PNB) that they allegedly cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of over Rs 13,000 crore, with the purported involvement of some of its employees. Both Choksi and Modi are absconding since the case was registered by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Choksi was last reported to be in the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. "With this attachment, the value of attachment/seizure in the PNB scam is to the tune of Rs 4,765 crore (approx). Further investigation is in the process," the ED said.

PNB scam: ED attaches Thailand factory of Choksi's group company

Terming the Enforcement Directorate an "embarrassing disaster" under the current dispensation, the Congress Sunday said it is fully committed to probing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government's "collusion" with AgustaWestland if it comes to power in 2019.

The party said that after the BJP came to power at the Centre, the Defence Ministry lifted the ban on AgustaWestland imposed during the UPA rule and even allowed it to bid for 100 naval utility helicopters.

"The ED may save the Modi government today, but when it is voted out of power in 2019, we are committed to fully investigate PM Modi and his government's collusion with AgustaWestland," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters.

He added, "Under Modi, the ED has become an embarrassing disaster."

The attack came a day after the probe agency, investigating the AgustaWestland case, told a court that accused middleman <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agustawestland-scam-christian-michel-named-mrs-gandhi-son-of-italian-lady-in-probe-ed-tells-court-187221">Christian Michel has made a reference to "Mrs Gandhi"</a>.

Surjewala alleged that the government was pressuring Michel to make a "false" statement against the Gandhi family and dared it to place in the public domain any such evidence it has against the Congress leadership.

He accused the government of trying to hide its own "collusion" in AgustaWestland case by creating a lot of noise.

"They are using Christian Michel as a sounding board to defend its own wrong doings and misdeeds. Panicking and running scared, PM Modi and his government are now raking up controversies to hide its own government's connivance," he said.

"It is now clear that the 'chowkidaar is daagdaar' (the watchman is tainted)," he alleged.

Surjewala also posed a set of six questions to the government and asked why the Defence Ministry ended the ban on AgustaWestland in July 2014 and made the company a part of the 'Make in India' programme.

Terming the Enforcement Directorate an "embarrassing disaster" under the current dispensation, the Congress Sunday said it is fully committed to probing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government's "collusion" with AgustaWestland if it comes to power in 2019.

Terming the Enforcement Directorate an "embarrassing disaster" under the current dispensation, the Congress Sunday said it is fully committed to probing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government's "collusion" with AgustaWestland if it comes to power in 2019. The party said that after the BJP came to power at the Centre, the Defence Ministry lifted the ban on AgustaWestland imposed during the UPA rule and even allowed it to bid for 100 naval utility helicopters. "The ED may save the Modi government today, but when it is voted out of power in 2019, we are committed to fully investigate PM Modi and his government's collusion with AgustaWestland," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told reporters. He added, "Under Modi, the ED has become an embarrassing disaster." The attack came a day after the probe agency, investigating the AgustaWestland case, told a court that accused middleman Christian Michel has made a reference to "Mrs Gandhi". Surjewala alleged that the government was pressuring Michel to make a "false" statement against the Gandhi family and dared it to place in the public domain any such evidence it has against the Congress leadership. He accused the government of trying to hide its own "collusion" in AgustaWestland case by creating a lot of noise. "They are using Christian Michel as a sounding board to defend its own wrong doings and misdeeds. Panicking and running scared, PM Modi and his government are now raking up controversies to hide its own government's connivance," he said. "It is now clear that the 'chowkidaar is daagdaar' (the watchman is tainted)," he alleged. Surjewala also posed a set of six questions to the government and asked why the Defence Ministry ended the ban on AgustaWestland in July 2014 and made the company a part of the 'Make in India' programme.

Under Modi, ED has become 'embarrassing disaster': Congress hits back on 'Mrs Gandhi' claim

Enforcement Directorate on Saturday told a Delhi court that Christian Michel, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal, had named 'Mrs Gandhi', but did not specify in which context the reference was made.

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Agusta Westland case: Enforcement Directorate tells Delhi's Patiala House court that Christian Michel has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi but in what reference can't be said right now. <a href="https://t.co/9foBKVd3V0">pic.twitter.com/9foBKVd3V0</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1078947808030289920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The ED also told the special court that Christian Michel had spoken about "the son of the Italian lady" and how he is going to become the "next prime minister of the country".

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ED in Delhi's Patiala House court: Christian Michel has also spoken about “the son of the Italian lady” and how he is going to become the “next prime minister of the country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AgustaWestland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AgustaWestland</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1078950427276627968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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ED's lawyer said that Michel has spelt out how state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was removed from the deal and how it was offered to Tata instead.&nbsp;

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Agusta Westland case: ED tells Delhi's Patiala House court that Christian Michel has identified how HAL was removed from the deal and the deal was offered to Tata instead. ED also seeks to ban Michel's lawyer's access to him alleging he is being tutored from outside <a href="https://t.co/xvQSaJnyxH">https://t.co/xvQSaJnyxH</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1078948638548733952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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ED also sought to ban Michel's lawyer's access to him alleging that he is being tutored from outside.&nbsp;

Christian Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI.&nbsp;The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.&nbsp;

He was arrested in the UAE and extradited to India on December 4. The next day, he was produced before the court, which allowed his five-day custodial interrogation by the CBI. It was extended by five more days, and later for another four days.

The CBI has alleged there was an estimated loss of Euro 398.21 million (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth Euro 556.262 million.

The ED, in its charge sheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he received EUR 30 million (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland.

Enforcement Directorate on Saturday told a Delhi court that Christian Michel, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal, had named 'Mrs Gandhi', but did not specify in which context the reference was made.

Enforcement Directorate on Saturday told a Delhi court that Christian Michel, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper deal, had named 'Mrs Gandhi', but did not specify in which context the reference was made. Agusta Westland case: Enforcement Directorate tells Delhi's Patiala House court that Christian Michel has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi but in what reference can't be said right now. pic.twitter.com/9foBKVd3V0 — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2018 × The ED also told the special court that Christian Michel had spoken about "the son of the Italian lady" and how he is going to become the "next prime minister of the country". ED in Delhi's Patiala House court: Christian Michel has also spoken about “the son of the Italian lady” and how he is going to become the “next prime minister of the country. #AgustaWestland — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2018 × ED's lawyer said that Michel has spelt out how state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was removed from the deal and how it was offered to Tata instead. Agusta Westland case: ED tells Delhi's Patiala House court that Christian Michel has identified how HAL was removed from the deal and the deal was offered to Tata instead. ED also seeks to ban Michel's lawyer's access to him alleging he is being tutored from outside https://t.co/xvQSaJnyxH — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2018 × ED also sought to ban Michel's lawyer's access to him alleging that he is being tutored from outside. Christian Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. He was arrested in the UAE and extradited to India on December 4. The next day, he was produced before the court, which allowed his five-day custodial interrogation by the CBI. It was extended by five more days, and later for another four days. The CBI has alleged there was an estimated loss of Euro 398.21 million (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth Euro 556.262 million. The ED, in its charge sheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he received EUR 30 million (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland.

Christian Michel names 'Mrs Gandhi', context not specified: ED to Delhi court

The order on Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking to declare liquor baron <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/vijay-mallya-faces-bankruptcy-proceedings-in-uk-high-court-184975">Vijay Mallya</a> a 'fugitive economic offender' was adjourned till January 5 on Wednesday.

The order was adjourned as the Special PMLA judge was not ready with his order, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Mallya remains on bail after his extradition was recently ordered by Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, an order which now awaits a sign-off by UK home secretary Sajid Javid.

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ED application seeking to declare Vijay Mallya a 'fugitive economic offender': As the Special PMLA judge is not ready with his order, the order has been adjourned till 5th January <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mumbai?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mumbai</a> (file pic) <a href="https://t.co/BZJWV1T6wo">pic.twitter.com/BZJWV1T6wo</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1077803449142652929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, the government said last week that it is making efforts to bring back people involved in financial irregularities to the country through Look Out Circulars, Red Corner Notice and extradition requests, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

According to the information provided by the Enforcement Directorate, there are 41 people involved in financial irregularities who fled the country or are living abroad, including Mallya, Modi and Choksi, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh informed Lok Sabha last week.

The order on Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking to declare liquor baron Vijay Mallya a 'fugitive economic offender' was adjourned till January 5 on Wednesday.

The order on Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking to declare liquor baron Vijay Mallya a 'fugitive economic offender' was adjourned till January 5 on Wednesday. The order was adjourned as the Special PMLA judge was not ready with his order, news agency ANI reported. Mallya remains on bail after his extradition was recently ordered by Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, an order which now awaits a sign-off by UK home secretary Sajid Javid. ED application seeking to declare Vijay Mallya a 'fugitive economic offender': As the Special PMLA judge is not ready with his order, the order has been adjourned till 5th January #Mumbai (file pic) pic.twitter.com/BZJWV1T6wo — ANI (@ANI) December 26, 2018 × Meanwhile, the government said last week that it is making efforts to bring back people involved in financial irregularities to the country through Look Out Circulars, Red Corner Notice and extradition requests, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. According to the information provided by the Enforcement Directorate, there are 41 people involved in financial irregularities who fled the country or are living abroad, including Mallya, Modi and Choksi, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh informed Lok Sabha last week.

Order on ED application to declare Mallya 'fugitive offender' adjourned till January 5 

The Centre on Friday authorised select security and intelligence agencies for purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.

The agencies empowered by the government in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, include the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Narcotics Control Bureau (NIB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Cabinet Secretariat (RAW) and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) read with rule 4 of the Information Technology ( Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009, the Competent Authority hereby authorises Security and Intelligence Agencies for the purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said Act," read the notice issued by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba.

Furthermore, the Directorate of Signal Intelligence has been given authority for service areas of Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and Assam.

The direction from the Ministry of Home Affairs comes as a follow up to a 2009 notification, wherein the then UPA government had stated that no person shall carry out the interception, monitoring, or decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under sub-section (2) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, except by an order issued by the competent authority.

"Such order may be issued by an officer, not below the rank of the Joint Secretary to the Government of India, who has been duly authorised by the competent authority," the 2009 notice read.

As per this earlier notification, in case of remote areas where obtaining prior directions for interception is not feasible, the guidelines provided for monitoring of information generated, transmitted or received in any computer resource to be done with prior approval of the head or second senior-most officer of the security and law enforcement agency at the central level and the officer authorised on this behalf, not below the rank of the Inspector General of Police or an officer of equivalent rank at the state or union territory level.

However, the authority supervising surveillance in such cases was required to inform in writing to the competent authority about the emergency deception of data within three working days and obtain approval within seven working days.

"If the approval of the competent authority is not obtained within the said period of seven working days, such interception or monitoring shall cease and information shall not be intercepted thereafter without prior approval," the document had stated.&nbsp;

The Centre on Friday authorised select security and intelligence agencies for purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.

The Centre on Friday authorised select security and intelligence agencies for purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource. The agencies empowered by the government in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, include the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Narcotics Control Bureau (NIB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Cabinet Secretariat (RAW) and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) read with rule 4 of the Information Technology ( Procedure and Safeguards for Interception, Monitoring and Decryption of Information) Rules, 2009, the Competent Authority hereby authorises Security and Intelligence Agencies for the purposes of interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under the said Act," read the notice issued by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba. Furthermore, the Directorate of Signal Intelligence has been given authority for service areas of Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and Assam. The direction from the Ministry of Home Affairs comes as a follow up to a 2009 notification, wherein the then UPA government had stated that no person shall carry out the interception, monitoring, or decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource under sub-section (2) of section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, except by an order issued by the competent authority. "Such order may be issued by an officer, not below the rank of the Joint Secretary to the Government of India, who has been duly authorised by the competent authority," the 2009 notice read. As per this earlier notification, in case of remote areas where obtaining prior directions for interception is not feasible, the guidelines provided for monitoring of information generated, transmitted or received in any computer resource to be done with prior approval of the head or second senior-most officer of the security and law enforcement agency at the central level and the officer authorised on this behalf, not below the rank of the Inspector General of Police or an officer of equivalent rank at the state or union territory level. However, the authority supervising surveillance in such cases was required to inform in writing to the competent authority about the emergency deception of data within three working days and obtain approval within seven working days. "If the approval of the competent authority is not obtained within the said period of seven working days, such interception or monitoring shall cease and information shall not be intercepted thereafter without prior approval," the document had stated.

Government empowers security, intelligence agencies for mass surveillance

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) countered the claim made by Vijay Mallya's lawyer in a special court in Mumbai on Wednesday that the liquor baron had left India in March 2016 only to attend an event in Geneva and did not flee the country. "Who goes to attend a meeting with 300 bags?" lawyer D N Singh representing the ED asked Mallya's lawyer Amit Desai.

Desai had on Tuesday told special judge for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases M S Azmi that his client did not leave the country secretly as claimed by the ED.

"There was no secret departure. He left the country to attend a planned meeting (of World Motor Sport in Geneva, Switzerland))," he had said.

"They don't have anything to show that he left India to attend a meeting... who goes to attend a meeting with 300 bags and huge cargo?" Singh asked Desai.

Singh made the submission while arguing before the court on the central agency's plea to declare Mallya a "fugitive" under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA).

The beleaguered business had left India on March 2, 2016, and is now based in Britain. A court in London had on Monday ordered the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/nda-brings-to-book-an-offender-benefited-during-upa-arun-jaitley-on-uk-court-clearing-mallyas-extradition-182978">extradition of Mallya</a>, wanted in India for alleged financial irregularities.

Responding to another claim of the defence, Singh said the application to declare the former MP a fugitive was filed before the court after all means to bring him back failed to yield any result.

Despite issuance of summons and three NBWs (non-bailable warrants), Mallya refused to join the probe against him, the ED lawyer said.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-news-uk-judge-orders-vijay-mallyas-extradition-182940">extradition process</a> is a proof enough that he is not willing to return, he said.

"He is fighting not to come to India. Mallya claimed that he doesn't want to return as the case was 'politically motivated'. He complained the condition in the jail, where he is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/mallya-extradition-case-arthur-road-jail-keeps-high-security-cell-ready-182856">supposed to be kept</a>, is bad. A video of prison was sent and UK court (which ordered his extradition) was satisfied with the same," Singh said.

The ED counsel also countered Desai's claim that Fugitive Economic Offenders Act was "draconian".

It is not a "draconian" law but just an act to bring back a person to India to join probe and face trial for offences listed under it, Singh said.

He said Mallya's lawyers, during their arguments and replies in the court on the ED application, have not said anything about his return to India.

"Neither during their reply or arguments they have said anything. Even now (after the extradition order) he has not made any statement that when he is coming or how he is coming," the ED counsel added.

Mallya, facing charges brought by the CBI and the ED, is wanted in India for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) countered the claim made by Vijay Mallya's lawyer in a special court in Mumbai on Wednesday that the liquor baron had left India in March 2016 only to attend an event in Geneva and did not flee the country.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) countered the claim made by Vijay Mallya's lawyer in a special court in Mumbai on Wednesday that the liquor baron had left India in March 2016 only to attend an event in Geneva and did not flee the country. "Who goes to attend a meeting with 300 bags?" lawyer D N Singh representing the ED asked Mallya's lawyer Amit Desai. Desai had on Tuesday told special judge for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) cases M S Azmi that his client did not leave the country secretly as claimed by the ED. "There was no secret departure. He left the country to attend a planned meeting (of World Motor Sport in Geneva, Switzerland))," he had said. "They don't have anything to show that he left India to attend a meeting... who goes to attend a meeting with 300 bags and huge cargo?" Singh asked Desai. Singh made the submission while arguing before the court on the central agency's plea to declare Mallya a "fugitive" under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA). The beleaguered business had left India on March 2, 2016, and is now based in Britain. A court in London had on Monday ordered the extradition of Mallya, wanted in India for alleged financial irregularities. Responding to another claim of the defence, Singh said the application to declare the former MP a fugitive was filed before the court after all means to bring him back failed to yield any result. Despite issuance of summons and three NBWs (non-bailable warrants), Mallya refused to join the probe against him, the ED lawyer said. The extradition process is a proof enough that he is not willing to return, he said. "He is fighting not to come to India. Mallya claimed that he doesn't want to return as the case was 'politically motivated'. He complained the condition in the jail, where he is supposed to be kept, is bad. A video of prison was sent and UK court (which ordered his extradition) was satisfied with the same," Singh said. The ED counsel also countered Desai's claim that Fugitive Economic Offenders Act was "draconian". It is not a "draconian" law but just an act to bring back a person to India to join probe and face trial for offences listed under it, Singh said. He said Mallya's lawyers, during their arguments and replies in the court on the ED application, have not said anything about his return to India. "Neither during their reply or arguments they have said anything. Even now (after the extradition order) he has not made any statement that when he is coming or how he is coming," the ED counsel added. Mallya, facing charges brought by the CBI and the ED, is wanted in India for alleged fraud and money laundering amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore.

'Who goes to attend a meeting with 300 bags?' Enforcement Directorate on Mallya

The documents found during raids conducted at the premises of close associates of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-planting-evidence-against-vadra-to-divert-attention-from-elections-loss-lawyer-182327">Robert Vadra by the Enforcement Directorate</a> (ED) suggest that he has properties in London and India, sources in the investigative agency claimed on Saturday.

ED officials on Friday carried out searches in Delhi and Bengaluru at the premises of close associates of Vadra, the son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

ED sources, who refused to come on record, claimed that the documents found at these premises showed that Vadra, a businessman, has properties abroad, besides in India.

The ED sources said on Friday that the investigating agency has "evidence" that the persons raided had received money in their bank accounts from defence suppliers.

Vadra's lawyer Suman Khaitan has said that the ED conducted raids at the behest of the central government to "plant evidence" against the businessman to divert attention from the probable loss of recently-held Legislative Assembly elections.

In a statement posted by Vadra on his Facebook page, Khaitan alleged on Friday that "politics of revenge and malicious vendetta has today reached its nadir."

"They (central government) have not found any evidence since last four-and-half years. So they wanted to come, lock the door, plant evidence today. They will lose elections and to divert attention, they will claim that they found the evidence (which is actually) manufactured and planted," Khaitan told media.&nbsp;

The documents found during raids conducted at the premises of close associates of Robert Vadra by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) suggest that he has properties in London and India, sources in the investigative agency claimed on Saturday.

The documents found during raids conducted at the premises of close associates of Robert Vadra by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) suggest that he has properties in London and India, sources in the investigative agency claimed on Saturday. ED officials on Friday carried out searches in Delhi and Bengaluru at the premises of close associates of Vadra, the son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. ED sources, who refused to come on record, claimed that the documents found at these premises showed that Vadra, a businessman, has properties abroad, besides in India. The ED sources said on Friday that the investigating agency has "evidence" that the persons raided had received money in their bank accounts from defence suppliers. Vadra's lawyer Suman Khaitan has said that the ED conducted raids at the behest of the central government to "plant evidence" against the businessman to divert attention from the probable loss of recently-held Legislative Assembly elections. In a statement posted by Vadra on his Facebook page, Khaitan alleged on Friday that "politics of revenge and malicious vendetta has today reached its nadir." "They (central government) have not found any evidence since last four-and-half years. So they wanted to come, lock the door, plant evidence today. They will lose elections and to divert attention, they will claim that they found the evidence (which is actually) manufactured and planted," Khaitan told media.

ED in possession of documents about Vadra's foreign properties

The Enforcement Directorate has attached 11 properties worth over Rs 56 crores of fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modi in Dubai in connection with its money-laundering probe in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The central probe agency said the assets were in the name of "Modi and his group company M/s Firestar Diamond FZE and they bear a market value of USD 7.79 million, which is equivalent to Rs. 56.8 crore".

The ED has issued a provisional order for attachment of these assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Last month, the agency had attached assets worth Rs. 637 crore of Nirav Modi and his family members, including two apartments at New York's iconic Central Park.

Sources in the agency said the ED would soon get multiple letters rogatory (judicial requests) issued by a Mumbai court for the legal formalisation of the attachment of these assets in coordination with its counterpart in Dubai.

Once the LRs were issued, India could freeze the foreign assets of an accused as part of a global legal cooperation in criminal matters, they added.

Nirav Modi has been absconding since the alleged bank fraud, by far the biggest in the country, came to light early this year and an Interpol arrest warrant was recently notified against him even as India is working to get him extradited from the UK, where he was last reported to have been based.

The agency has attached assets worth over Rs. 700 crores of Nirav Modi and his family in the country till now. It has also filed a charge sheet against the fugitive diamond jeweller, alleging that he laundered and diverted over Rs. 6,400 crores of bank funds to dummy companies abroad, which were under his and his family's control.

Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others are being probed under various criminal laws, following a complaint by the PNB that they cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of over Rs. 13,000 crores with the purported involvement of some of its employees.

The Enforcement Directorate has attached 11 properties worth over Rs 56 crores of fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modi in Dubai in connection with its money-laundering probe in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The Enforcement Directorate has attached 11 properties worth over Rs 56 crores of fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modi in Dubai in connection with its money-laundering probe in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The central probe agency said the assets were in the name of "Modi and his group company M/s Firestar Diamond FZE and they bear a market value of USD 7.79 million, which is equivalent to Rs. 56.8 crore". The ED has issued a provisional order for attachment of these assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Last month, the agency had attached assets worth Rs. 637 crore of Nirav Modi and his family members, including two apartments at New York's iconic Central Park. Sources in the agency said the ED would soon get multiple letters rogatory (judicial requests) issued by a Mumbai court for the legal formalisation of the attachment of these assets in coordination with its counterpart in Dubai. Once the LRs were issued, India could freeze the foreign assets of an accused as part of a global legal cooperation in criminal matters, they added. Nirav Modi has been absconding since the alleged bank fraud, by far the biggest in the country, came to light early this year and an Interpol arrest warrant was recently notified against him even as India is working to get him extradited from the UK, where he was last reported to have been based. The agency has attached assets worth over Rs. 700 crores of Nirav Modi and his family in the country till now. It has also filed a charge sheet against the fugitive diamond jeweller, alleging that he laundered and diverted over Rs. 6,400 crores of bank funds to dummy companies abroad, which were under his and his family's control. Nirav Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others are being probed under various criminal laws, following a complaint by the PNB that they cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of over Rs. 13,000 crores with the purported involvement of some of its employees.

Enforcement Directorate seeks attachment of Nirav Modi's Rs 56 crore Dubai assets

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said.

They said the central agency has filed a plea before a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), seeking to declare Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara, Dipti Sandesara and Hitesh Patel fugitives under Section 4 of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, brought by the Modi government this year to check cases of large bank frauds and similar crimes.

"All the four are promoters of the Sterling Group and have fled the country to avoid criminal probe against them in a Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud involving a consortium of banks," a senior official said.

The agency has also sought immediate confiscation of the assets, in India and abroad, worth over Rs 7,000 crore of the Vadodara-based business family as part of the action under the new law.

The court subsequently issued notices to all of them.

A Fugitive Economic Offender is a person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in respect of a scheduled offence and who has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution, or being abroad, refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution. Arrest warrants have been issued by a court against the four under the anti-money laundering law.

The agency filed a fresh charge sheet in this case, under the PMLA, early this week and had charged the Sandesaras and others with money laundering and siphoning bank loans.

"Investigation revealed that the promoters of the group laundered the proceeds of crime through various layers and routed the funds outside India. They incorporated more than 100 entities in various countries like UAE, USA, UK, British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Barbados and Nigeria among others.&nbsp;

"Their main entities outside India includes Richmond Overseas, Sunshine Trust Corporation, SEEPCO BVI, SEEPCO Nigeria, Atlantic Blue Water Services Pvt Ltd and few others," the ED said.

It said the Sandesaras have business interests, largely in the oil sector, in Nigeria.

"Investigation shows that Sandesaras are engaged in oil business in Nigeria and have numerous assets there. Their assets in that country include oil evacuation and transportation equipments such as oil blocks (Durga 1-4), barges and ships (Tulja Bhawani, Varinda) among others.&nbsp;

"Some of their vessels are also registered in Republic of Panama. Besides, they have immovable properties in British Virgin Islands. All these properties are sought to be confiscated under the Fugitive Offenders Act.&nbsp;

Further investigation is ongoing to identify their other properties abroad involved in money laundering," the ED charged.

It alleged that the pharmaceutical group and its promoters laundered funds obtained through bank loans by "incorporating" shell or dummy companies, conducting circular transactions to artificially inflate turnover of flagship companies, claiming higher depreciations on non-existing machinery, artificial share trading with the use of shell companies and layering and laundering of proceeds of crime within India and abroad through the web of shell companies.

The ED had filed a total of five charge sheets, also known as prosecution complaint, in this case and had said that apart from the Sandesaras and their associates it was probing the role of "public officials" for suspected bribery of about Rs 140 crore in this case.&nbsp;

While the three Sandesaras are reported to be based in Nigeria, Patel is said to be in the US.

The agency will also move for their extradition soon, they said.

The agency has arrested four people in this case till now-- Delhi-based businessman and alleged middleman Gagan Dhawan, company director Rajbhushan Dixit, ex-Director of Andhra Bank Anup Garg and an alleged aide of Dhawan, Ranjeet Malik.

Assets to the tune of Rs 4,710 crore have been attached by the ED in this case till now even as the agency said it has seized Rs 15 lakh documents as part of its probe.&nbsp;

The ED had made similar pleas, under the new fugitive law, against Vijay Mallya and diamond jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in separate bank loan money laundering probes.&nbsp;

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Friday moved a special court here to get declared the owners of Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, charged in an alleged Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud case, as fugitive economic offenders under a new law, the agency said. They said the central agency has filed a plea before a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), seeking to declare Nitin Sandesara, Chetan Sandesara, Dipti Sandesara and Hitesh Patel fugitives under Section 4 of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, brought by the Modi government this year to check cases of large bank frauds and similar crimes. "All the four are promoters of the Sterling Group and have fled the country to avoid criminal probe against them in a Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud involving a consortium of banks," a senior official said. The agency has also sought immediate confiscation of the assets, in India and abroad, worth over Rs 7,000 crore of the Vadodara-based business family as part of the action under the new law. The court subsequently issued notices to all of them. A Fugitive Economic Offender is a person against whom an arrest warrant has been issued in respect of a scheduled offence and who has left India so as to avoid criminal prosecution, or being abroad, refuses to return to India to face criminal prosecution. Arrest warrants have been issued by a court against the four under the anti-money laundering law. The agency filed a fresh charge sheet in this case, under the PMLA, early this week and had charged the Sandesaras and others with money laundering and siphoning bank loans. "Investigation revealed that the promoters of the group laundered the proceeds of crime through various layers and routed the funds outside India. They incorporated more than 100 entities in various countries like UAE, USA, UK, British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Barbados and Nigeria among others. "Their main entities outside India includes Richmond Overseas, Sunshine Trust Corporation, SEEPCO BVI, SEEPCO Nigeria, Atlantic Blue Water Services Pvt Ltd and few others," the ED said. It said the Sandesaras have business interests, largely in the oil sector, in Nigeria. "Investigation shows that Sandesaras are engaged in oil business in Nigeria and have numerous assets there. Their assets in that country include oil evacuation and transportation equipments such as oil blocks (Durga 1-4), barges and ships (Tulja Bhawani, Varinda) among others. "Some of their vessels are also registered in Republic of Panama. Besides, they have immovable properties in British Virgin Islands. All these properties are sought to be confiscated under the Fugitive Offenders Act. Further investigation is ongoing to identify their other properties abroad involved in money laundering," the ED charged. It alleged that the pharmaceutical group and its promoters laundered funds obtained through bank loans by "incorporating" shell or dummy companies, conducting circular transactions to artificially inflate turnover of flagship companies, claiming higher depreciations on non-existing machinery, artificial share trading with the use of shell companies and layering and laundering of proceeds of crime within India and abroad through the web of shell companies. The ED had filed a total of five charge sheets, also known as prosecution complaint, in this case and had said that apart from the Sandesaras and their associates it was probing the role of "public officials" for suspected bribery of about Rs 140 crore in this case. While the three Sandesaras are reported to be based in Nigeria, Patel is said to be in the US. The agency will also move for their extradition soon, they said. The agency has arrested four people in this case till now-- Delhi-based businessman and alleged middleman Gagan Dhawan, company director Rajbhushan Dixit, ex-Director of Andhra Bank Anup Garg and an alleged aide of Dhawan, Ranjeet Malik. Assets to the tune of Rs 4,710 crore have been attached by the ED in this case till now even as the agency said it has seized Rs 15 lakh documents as part of its probe. The ED had made similar pleas, under the new fugitive law, against Vijay Mallya and diamond jewellers Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi in separate bank loan money laundering probes.

Rs 8,100-crore bank loan fraud: ED seeks fugitive tag for Sterling Biotech group promoters

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Surat, on Wednesday, issued an order declaring fugitive diamantaire and Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam accused Nirav Modi as an absconder in a case filed against him by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly evading customs duty on import of diamonds and pearls.

Modi was declared an absconder under Section 82 of the code of criminal procedure in the case.

A case of diversion of diamonds and pearls from Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units in Surat by Modi was booked in December 2014, by the DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit.

The case was about the diversion of duty-free imported goods by the SEZ units of Nirav Modi's companies in Surat - Firestar International Pvt. Ltd., Firestar Diamond International Pvt. Ltd. and Radashir Jewellery Comp. Pvt. Ltd. These units were allegedly into import and export of diamonds, pearls and jewellery.

In the units situated at SEZ, the goods were allowed to be imported customs duty-free for the purpose of export.

However, during the investigation by the DRI, it was revealed that the duty-free diamonds and pearls imported by Modi's companies were clandestinely diverted into the local market and substituted by the locally procured diamonds and pearls.

The companies had allegedly paid Rs. 48.21 crores (customs duty along with interest and penalty) in that case.

During the investigation, the DRI had also seized the export consignments ready for dispatch for Hong Kong and Dubai, lying at Sahar Air Cargo in Mumbai, which was highly overvalued.

The department filed prosecution in the Surat Court against Modi for his alleged role in the evasion of customs duty.The Chief Judicial Magistrate had issued an arrest warrant against Modi on June 22.

As he was not available at his known addresses, the court proclaimed the fugitive jeweller as an absconder.

This will enable the DRI in addition to other things to attach his properties. On October 1, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 637 crore belonging to Modi in connection with the PNB scam.

Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi have been accused of allegedly defrauding PNB of $ 2 billion.

While Choksi is in Antigua, Modi is in the United Kingdom and needs to be extradited as non-bailable warrants have been issued by different courts against him.&nbsp;

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Surat, on Wednesday, issued an order declaring fugitive diamantaire and Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam accused Nirav Modi as an absconder in a case filed against him by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly evading customs duty on import of diamonds and pearls.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Surat, on Wednesday, issued an order declaring fugitive diamantaire and Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam accused Nirav Modi as an absconder in a case filed against him by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly evading customs duty on import of diamonds and pearls. Modi was declared an absconder under Section 82 of the code of criminal procedure in the case. A case of diversion of diamonds and pearls from Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units in Surat by Modi was booked in December 2014, by the DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit. The case was about the diversion of duty-free imported goods by the SEZ units of Nirav Modi's companies in Surat - Firestar International Pvt. Ltd., Firestar Diamond International Pvt. Ltd. and Radashir Jewellery Comp. Pvt. Ltd. These units were allegedly into import and export of diamonds, pearls and jewellery. In the units situated at SEZ, the goods were allowed to be imported customs duty-free for the purpose of export. However, during the investigation by the DRI, it was revealed that the duty-free diamonds and pearls imported by Modi's companies were clandestinely diverted into the local market and substituted by the locally procured diamonds and pearls. The companies had allegedly paid Rs. 48.21 crores (customs duty along with interest and penalty) in that case. During the investigation, the DRI had also seized the export consignments ready for dispatch for Hong Kong and Dubai, lying at Sahar Air Cargo in Mumbai, which was highly overvalued. The department filed prosecution in the Surat Court against Modi for his alleged role in the evasion of customs duty.The Chief Judicial Magistrate had issued an arrest warrant against Modi on June 22. As he was not available at his known addresses, the court proclaimed the fugitive jeweller as an absconder. This will enable the DRI in addition to other things to attach his properties. On October 1, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 637 crore belonging to Modi in connection with the PNB scam. Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi have been accused of allegedly defrauding PNB of $ 2 billion. While Choksi is in Antigua, Modi is in the United Kingdom and needs to be extradited as non-bailable warrants have been issued by different courts against him.

Nirav Modi declared absconder in Directorate of Revenue Intelligence case

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