PNB scam: India awaiting Hong Kong response on Nirav Modi

India is awaiting response from Hong Kong authorities on its request for provisional order of arrest of diamond merchant Nirav Modi, wanted in connection with the PNB loan fraud. Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar, said India has requested the Hong Kong authorities to surrender Modi, based on the extradition agreement for surrender of fugitive offenders signed between the two sides in 1997.

"Our mission in Hong Kong has informed that the Department of Justice of Hong Kong are still examining our request for provisional order of arrest of Nirav Modi. We are awaiting response from the Hong Kong authorities," Kumar said.

Earlier, VK Singh, Minister of State in the External Affairs, had said the request for the same was submitted to the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on March 23. China had said that Hong Kong can accede to India's request based on local laws and mutual judicial assistance agreements.

Asked whether the MEA has taken up the case of Mehul Choksi with the US, also wanted in the PNB fraud case along with Modi, Kumar said the ministry only comes into the picture after the location of any fugitive is ascertained.

"Normally, after we are informed by the (investigating) agencies....based on that we make a request. We have not done anything because we do not know his whereabouts," Kumar said.

Punjab National Bank