New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has written to several European countries seeking help in tracing billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi even as it asserted that he did not have more than one Indian passport in his possession. Fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi was able to travel across the world because his revoked passport was not “physically” cancelled, officials said here on Thursday.
“Nirav Modi was issued a fresh passport only after his previous passport was physically cancelled. At no time did he have more than one valid passport in his possession,” said Raveesh Kumar, official spokesperson of the Ministry.
MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the ministry has also sent messages to all its missions abroad to get in touch with local governments to deny entry to Nirav Modi and inform India if he was residing there. There were reports that Nirav Modi, wanted in connection with Punjab National Bank fraud case, may have visited the UK, France and Belgium in the past few weeks.
“The revocation notice was sent to all passport-issuing authorities in India and abroad as well as to all our Missions and Posts. Intimation was also given to the agencies on this matter,” the spokesperson said.
His clarification comes following reports that Nirav Modi had multiple passports.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
