Interpol issues red corner notice against wife of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi

New Delhi: International law enforcement agency Interpol has issued a red corner notice against Punjab National Bank fraud-accused Nirav Modi's, 48, wife in connection with money-laundering cases against her in India.

Red Notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Notably, similar arrest warrants have also been issued earlier against Modi's other family members such as his brother Nehal and sister Purvi.

Ami Modi held the position of director in a few companies that were allegedly used by the tainted diamantaire for money laundering. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also named her as accused in the case.

Modi was arrested in London last year and is currently fighting extradition to India in the case against him. The trial was adjourned till September after a week of hearings at the Westminster Magistrate's Court in Central London in May. He was declared an "economic fugitive offender" under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act in December 2019.

The fugitive diamantaire appeared from Wandsworth Prison in South London at the court via video conferencing, due to the social distancing rules in place across the UK due to COVID-19.

The hearing in the case will resume on September 7 with June 11 set as the date for him to be produced in court for his 28-day remand hearing.

Modi's uncle Mehul Choksi,60, also accused in Rs 13,500 crore PNB scam and is currently residing in the Caribbean island of Antigua, has refused to return to India citing ill-health. Both Choksi and Modi are accused of fake guarantees from PNB to secure overseas loans.

The immovable properties belonging to Modi in India were confiscated by order of a special court in June this year.