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Nirav Modi has new diamond business in London: Report
New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) Nirav Modi, the Indian diamantaire wanted in a multi-crore bank fraud, is living in a swanky Rs 75-crore flat in a posh London locality and has a flourishing new diamond business, a UK daily reported on Saturday.
Accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, Nirav Modi is living openly at a three-bedroom flat, occupying half of a floor of the landmark Centre Point tower block, British daily The Telegraph reported.
The rent of the flat is understood to be around 17,000 British Pound a month, which is approximately over Rs 15 lakh, the daily stated.
The Interpol had issued a red corner notice against Nirav Modi last July on the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The report also claimed the fugitive diamantaire is involved in a new diamond business, run from an office in Soho, just a few hundred yards from his new apartment, which was incorporated last May.
However, Nirav Modi is not listed as a director at Companies House.
The news report claimed Nirav Modi has acquired a National Insurance number, issued by the Department for Work and Pensions, and has been able to operate online bank accounts in the UK while wanted by Indian authorities.
Earlier, a video released by The Telegraph showed Modi walking the London streets. He sported a new look — handle bar moustache and long hair — and is seen avoiding questions posed to him, replying “no comments”.
Indian intelligence agencies had provided inputs about the fugitive billionaire’s new disguise.
Earlier in the day, the Enforcement Directorate officials said the UK Home Secretary has referred India’s request to extradite Nirav Modi to a court for initiating legal proceedings.
“The UK Central Authority of Home Office has confirmed the extradition request has been sent to the Westminster Magistrate Court for further proceedings,” said an official. The request to the court was forwarded by the UK Home Office a few days ago, the ED official added.
The request for the extradition was sent to the UK authorities in July 2018.
On Friday, authorities in Maharashtra destroyed Nirav Modi’s 33,000 square feet Alibaug beach bungalow with controlled blast.
On February 26, the ED attached Rs 147 crore properties of Modi and his associate companies in connection with the PNB probe.
Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are under the CBI and the ED probe. The ED filed money laundering cases against them and others on February 15 on the basis of an FIR registered by the CBI.
The ED had on May 24 and May 26, 2018 filed charge sheets against the two and a court had issued non-bailable warrants against them.
Both left India in the first week of January 2018, weeks before the scam was reported to the CBI. The ED has till date attached Rs 4,765 crore properties of Choksi and Modi.
–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
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.