National
CBI books top diamond merchant in Rs 280 cr cheating case
Mumbai, Feb 5 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked billionaire diamond service provider Nirav Modi, his brother, wife and an enterprise companion for allegedly cheating Punjab National Bank of over Rs 280.70 crore last year, officials said.
The CBI acted on a complaint by the Deputy General Manager of Punjab National Bank, Zonal Office, Mumbai, alleging that Nirav Modi, his brother Nishal Modi, wife Ami Nirav Modi and Mehul Chinubhai — partners of Diamond R US, Solar Exports, Stellar Diamonds — committed the offence of cheating the bank and caused a “wrongful loss”.
Following the complaint, the CBI registered a FIR under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act against the four.
The FIR revealed that the accused Nirav Modi and his partners requested a loan from the bank on January 16.
The branch officials requested the firms to furnish at least 100 per cent cash margin for issuing LOU for raising buyer’s credit.
“These firms contested that they have been availing this facility in the past also but the branch records did not reveal the details of any such facility.
“It also observed that former bank officer Gopal Nath Shetty had fraudulently issued LOUs without following prescribed procedure by obtaining required request applications, documents and approval of the authorities and without making entries in the bank system,” the FIR said.
The banks said they fraudulently issued eight LOUs totalling Rs 280.70 crore, for Hong Kong-based Allahabad Bank and Axis Bank.
The CBI carried out raids at 21 places in Mumbai and Surat on February 3 and 4, officials said.
The CBI also raided the homes of 13 officials and Nirav Modi.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.