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ED urges HC to dismiss Gitanjali Gems’ plea

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New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) The ED on Thursday urged the Delhi High Court to dismiss a plea of fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi’s firm Gitanjali Gems that challenged “illegal seizure of documents and articles” in money laundering cases related to the PNB scam.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told a bench of Justices S. Muralidhar and I.S. Mehta that the firm’s petition is completely erroneous, misconceived and devoid of merits.

“The investigation qua Mehul Choksi and other suspected person has just begun and at this stage any adverse order with regard to the investigation will become an incentive to those standing to benefit from such proceeds of crime,” the ED said in its affidavit.

The ED said that the proceed of crime generated through criminal activities arising out of the scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) were “layered and integrated in the veil of huge bullion/jewellery business of Mehul Choksi in order to project the same as untainted property, which includes the business of Gitanjali Gems.

In its affidavit, the ED said: “The jewellery stock of the petitioner (Gitanjali Gems) has been seized with the reason to believe, recorded in writing on the basis of information/documents in possession, that the petitioner company, being under the direct control of prime accused Mehul Choksi, is very much involved in the process of money laundering.”

The ED termed the petition as an attempt to hinder and derail the ongoing investigation.

The probe agency also apprised the court that the man claiming to be authorised signatory of the company is not even an employee according to records and the notary who has signed the affidavit.

Further, the ED affidavit said that the company cleverly veils any reference to Mehul Choksi, who left India ahead of the multi-crore rupee Punjab National Bank scam coming to the notice of law enforcement agencies.

Further, the directorate said, it had issued summons to Choksi to join investigation and explain certain issues. However, he has completely sidestepped the legal system and decamped to foreign shores, refusing to join the investigation.

The court was hearing two pleas filed by Gitanjali Gems and billionaire Nirav Modi’s firm Firestar Diamond challenging the seizure of documents and articles by the ED.

Gitanjali Gems challenged certain provision of the PMLA and called the ED’s action as “absurd” and not in accordance with the object and purpose of the PMLA.

The firm also claimed that there was no connection of its property with the supposed proceeds of the crime.

Firestar Diamond had urged the court that the seizure of movable properties of Nirav Modi and deposit of the same with the PNB be quashed.

Diamond jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are accused of defrauding the PNB of Rs 12,600 crore, with Rs 1,300 crore being added to the fraud kitty on February 26.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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