Red Corner Notice against Nirav's sister

In more trouble for diamantaire Nirav Modi, the Interpol has issued a Red Corner notice (RCN) against his sister Purvi Deepak Modi, a Belgian national, in connection with the over Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank scam.

According to the RCN, which acts as an international arrest warrant, Purvi (44) is required on charges of "money laundering".

The Interpol notice said that Purvi is a Belgian national and speaks English, Gujarati and Hindi.

Recently, a similar Interpol notice was issued against Mihir R Bhansali, a top executive of Nirav Modi's US business concern, on charges of money laundering last week.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that Purvi was playing "a major role in laundering the proceeds of crime generated from the PNB scam and being a beneficiary of the scam to the tune of at least $ 133 million (over Rs 950 crore)".

"She is also the owner/director of several shell or investment companies formed solely for the purpose to launder the proceeds of crime in companies located in the UAE, British Virgin Islands and Singapore," the agency has claimed in its probe report.

The ED approached the Interpol through the CBI as Purvi had not joined investigations despite repeated summons. She was named in the first charge sheet filed by ED in a Mumbai court in May.

According to investigators, a number of overseas companies linked to Purvi were "formed and managed in a very complex manner to camouflage the criminal origin of funds in these companies".

Some of the companies used for money laundering were Montecristo Trust, Ithaca Trust and New Zealand Trust, which were found to be associated with Purvi, they claimed.

Meanwhile, the ED has also sent a reminder to Interpol about its application that seeks a red corner notice against absconding jeweller Mehul Choksi in the case.

A detailed request for the issuance of the RCN against Choksi was sent in June.

However, the Interpol subsequently sought more information and it was replied to.

As there was no further information about it, officials said, a reminder has now been sent.