Nirav Modi defiant, blames CBI and ED for destroying his businesses

TOI correspondent from London: Nirav Modi appeared defiant in the dock in his Bank of India (BOI) trial on Thursday, saying that the banks, together with the CBI and ED, had destroyed the business he had spent 20 years building up and that he had committed no fraud against Punjab National Bank.

Nirav was giving evidence in a separate civil trial at which he is accused of owing BOI in excess of $10.7 million (Rs 100 crore) via a personal guarantee he allegedly gave on a loan given to Firestar Diamond FZE. He denies he “knowingly and intentionally” signed the guarantee and says he does not owe BOI anything.

Dressed in a smart suit, he arrived from prison and looked unfazed by Wednesday’s adverse extradition judgment. He took his oath on the Bhagavad Gita and put both hands through the dock bars as he read from a laptop.

Tom Beasley, representing BOI, asked him why he claimed there was no material adverse event for BOI to call in the BOI loan in 2018 given the allegations that appeared in the media about his companies and his alleged fraud against PNB at that time.

“It started Feb 5,” Nirav replied. “That is when the media reported on it,” he said. “I remember the date. It was a life-changing event,” he said. “They said Rs 11,000 crore, it was Rs 6,000 core, there was no fraud, and I don’t think his amount would make the top 20 in India.”

He then accused PNB of colluding with the CBI. “Normally there would be preliminary investigation and then an FIR — it is unheard of for an FIR to be filed without hearing from the complainee. On Feb 2 , I don’t think anyone was aware except the CBI. Maybe PNB was working with CBI as PNB put it on social media on Feb 3. On Feb 15, the ED pulled the plug on everything — no manufacturing or finance could continue. My business stopped and the ED and CBI seized and attached everything.”

After the hearing, he told TOI he can’t comment on the extradition judgment.

Select The Times of India as your preferred source on Google Search