The State Department on Thursday expressed its inability in confirming media reports regarding diamond jeweller Nirav Modi’s presence in the United States.
A State Department official said that though the US government is aware of reports suggesting Nirav Modi’s presence in New York, it is not in a position to confirm them.
"We are aware of recent media reports that Nirav Modi is in the United States but cannot confirm them," the spokesperson said.
Also Read | US court grants interim stay on debt collection against Nirav Modi-owned Firestar Diamond
Asked if the department is providing any assistance to the Indian government in tracing Modi, the spokesperson said, "We refer you to the Department of Justice for questions on legal assistance to the Indian authorities in relation to their investigation of Mr. Modi".
The Department of Justice declined to comment on Modi.
Modi, his uncle Mehul Choksi and others are being investigated by multiple probe agencies following a complaint by the Punjab National Bank (PNB) that they allegedly cheated the nationalised bank to the tune of over Rs 12,000 crore, with the purported involvement of a few employees of the bank.
They allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking (LoUs) from its Brady House branch in Fort area for overseas credit from other lenders.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have registered two FIRs each in this case.
Modi, his family, and Choksi, the promoter of Gitanjali Gems, left the country in early January, much before the CBI received a complaint from the PNB.
On being asked by the CBI to join its investigation into the alleged fraud, Modi refused, saying he has "business abroad".
The CBI then directed him to contact the embassy of India in a country where he is staying so that his travel to India can be arranged.
A Look Out Circular (LoC), also known as a blue corner notice, has already been issued against Modi and Choksi to keep a tab on their entry at all land, air and sea ports in India.
(With PTI inputs)
