New Delhi, Feb 24: The passports of absconding Indian businessman Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, involved in the $1.8 billion Punjab tiol Bank fraud, have been revoked, sources said on Saturday. The action comes after the government issued notices to Modi and Choksi on February 16 seeking their explations within a week’s time why their passports should not be revoked.
After the huge fraud came to light earlier this month, the Exterl Affairs Ministry on February 16 suspended the passports of Modi and Choksi, who have fled the country.
On Thursday, Exterl Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a media briefing that with the receipt of the notification, Modi was bound to reply within a stipulated time to the notice and the charges that have been explained to him.
“If he replies, then we go through that and if we don’t find it satisfactory, then of course the passport is revoked,” Kumar said. “If he does not reply, then again the same thing happens.”
Stating that such notifications are sent to postal addresses or emails, he said that in this particular case the notification has been sent to an email in India that Modi has shared with the authorities. (IANS)