Lok Sabha Question No. 1551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-19
Subject: Financial Absconders Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: C. N. JAYADEVAN

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA FINALLY ADMITTED QUESTION NO.1551

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.12.2018

## FINANCIAL ABSCONDERS ABROAD

1551. SHRI C.N. JAYADEVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the   details   of   people   involved   in   financial   irregularities   and   facing criminal investigation fled from the country or are living abroad; and

(b)  the details of efforts made to bring them back to the country and the present status of    the efforts made so far?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Ministry of External Affairs, not being the original repository of information requested in (a) and (b), and the same has been obtained from the primary investigating agencies namely the CBI, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

According to the information provided by the CBI, the list of people involved in financial irregularities and facing criminal investigation and who fled the country or are living abroad for the years 2015 - 2018 (up to 30.11.2018) are as follows: (i) Shri Pushpesh Baid (ii) Shri Vijay Mallya (iii) Shri Sunny Kalra (iv) Smt. Aarti Kalra (v) Shri Sanjay Kalra (vi) Smt. Varsha Kalra (vii) Shri Sudhir Kaura (viii) Shri Umesh Parekh (ix) Shri Kamlesh Parekh (x) Shri Vinay Mittal (xi) Shri Eklavya Garg (xii) Shri Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara (xiii) Shri Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara (xiv) Smt. Dipti Chetan Sandesara (xv) Shri Nirav Modi (xvi) Shri Neeshal Modi (xvii) Shri Sabya Seth (xviii) Shri Rajiv Goyal (xix) Smt. Alka Goyal (xx) Shri Bhadresh Kumar (xxi) Shri Arvind Bhai Bhuva (xxii) Shri Ashish Jobanputra (xxiii) Shri Jatin Mehta (xxiv) Smt. Sonia Jatin Mehta (xxv) Shri Suraj Mehta (xxvi) Shri Ranjan Kashyap (xxvii) Shri Ankush Sood (xxviii) Smt Saloni Sood (xxix) Shri Mehul Choksi

According to the information provided by the ED, the list of people involved in financial irregularities and facing criminal investigation and who fled the country or are living abroad are as follows: (i) Shri Vijay Mallya (ii) Shri Christian Michel James (iii) Shri Nirav Modi (iv) Shri Mehul Choksi (v) Shri Ashish Sureshbhai Jobanputra (vi) Mrs. Priti Ashish Jobanputra (vii) Shri Ramachandran Viswanathan

(viii) Shri M.G. Chandrasekhar (ix) Shri Sanjay Bhandari (x) Shri Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara (xi) Shri Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara (xii) Smt. Dipti Chetan Sandesara (xiii) Shri Hiteshkumar Narendrabhai Patel (xiv) Shri Deepak Talwar (xv) Smt Deepa Talwar (xvi) Shri Sunny Kalra (vii) Smt Aarti Kalra (viii) Shri Sanjay Kalra (xix) Smt Varsha Kalra (xx) Shri Jatin Mehta (xxi) Shri Lalit Modi (xxii) Shri S. Harpal Singh Dutta (xxiii) Shri Ritesh Jain (xxiv) Shri Mugundhan Ganyam (xxv) Shri Pushpesh Kumar Baid (xxvi) Shri Nitish J. Thakur (xxvii) Smt. Purvi Modi (xxviii) Shri Mihir Rashmi Bhansali (xxix) Shri Aditya Nanawati (xxx) Shri Sunil Verma (xxxi) Shri Neeshal Deepak Modi (xxxii) Shri Nehal Modi (xxxiii) Shri Maiank Mehta (xxxiv) Shri Jayesh Indervadan Shah (xxxv) Shri Deepak Krishnrao Kulkarni (xxxvi) Shri Deepak Modi (xxxvii) Shri Subhash Shankar Parab (xxxviii) Shri Rajiv Saxena (xxxix) Shri Rajesh Gajera (xl) Shri Carlo Valentino Fernando Gerosa (xli) Shri Guido Ralph Haschke

According to information provided by the DRI five persons namely (i) Shri Hamel Mahendrabhai Langalia (ii) Shri Rajeev Verma (iii) Shri Syed Zainul Hasan (iv) Shri Nirav Modi (v) Shri Mehul Choksi were found involved in various violations of Customs Act, 1962, and have fled the country or are living abroad.

(b) Efforts are being made for securing presence of these accused in the country by  way of issuance of LOC, RCN and Extradition requests. Action under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 has also been initiated in suitable cases. The details of the efforts made and the present status of the efforts is placed at Annexure-A .

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## ANNEXURE-A

|   S.No | Name               | Efforts made to bring back economic offender and present status of efforts                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|--------|--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Shri Pushpesh Baid | RCN issued. Two separate extradition requests sent to USA in 2015 and 2017, pending with US authorities. Multiple cases under trial and one case under investigation. Open dated warrant has been issued.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|      2 | Shri Vijay Mallya  | Shri Mallya was declared as Proclaimed Offender and properties worth Rs. 1694.52 Crore have been attached. Application under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 filed for confiscation of properties worth Rs. 12500 Crore. Vide Order dated 10.12.2018, the Westminster Magistrates' Court, London, recommended Extradition of Shri Mallya. Mr. Mallya has two weeks to file an appeal. Matter pending with Government of UK. Final report and a supplementary charge sheet have been filed. Further investigation is in progress. |
|      3 | Shri Sunny Kalra   | RCN issued. Shri Sunny Kalra was arrested on 05.02.2017 in UAE based on RCN. Formal request for extradition under process. Extradition request in respect of Smt Aarti Kalra sent to UAE in November 2016. Matter pending with UAE authorities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|      4 | Smt. Aarti Kalra   | Case is under trial.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|      5 | Shri Sanjay Kalra  | RCN issued. Shri Sanjay Kalra and Smt Varsh Kalra were arrested in UAE on the basis of RCN. Extradition request sent to UAE in 2016 was returned in 2017.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|      6 | Smt. Varsha Kalra  | The case is under trial.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |

|   7 | Shri Sudhir Kaura                   | Declaration of PO is under progress. The case is under trial.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-----|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   8 | Shri Umesh Parekh                   | LOC issued against both accused. The main accused Nillesh Parekh was arrested on 08.05.2017 on the basis of LOC.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|   9 | Shri Kamlesh Parekh                 | The case is under investigation. LRs under preparation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|  10 | Shri Vinay Mittal                   | Extradition request sent to Indonesia in March 2017. Extradition was approved and the fugitive was successfully brought back to India on 20.9.2018.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|  11 | Shri Eklavya Garg                   | The case is under trial. Shri Eklavya Garg has joined investigation in two cases.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|  12 | Shri Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara    | Case under investigation Diffusion Dispatch forms in respect of the three accused persons have been uploaded. LOCs and NBWs issued. RCN under process. Application under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 filed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|  13 | Shri Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara     | Case under investigation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|  14 | Smt. Dipti Chetan Sandesara         |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|  15 | Shri Hiteshkumar Narendrabhai Patel |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|  16 | Shri Nirav Modi                     | RCN has been opened against Shri Nirav Modi and Shri Neeshal Modi. Shri Nirav Modi has been declared a proclaimed offender; LOC was issued against Shri Nirav Modi, action for attachment of properties is also being taken against Shri Nirav Modi. Application under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 filed for declaring him a Fugitive Offender and for confiscation of his properties worth Rs. 1404.7 Crore. Eighteen Letters of Request (LRs) have been sent to different countries. Two separate extradition requests in respect of Shri Nirav Modi forwarded to UK in August 2018, pending with UK authorities. Separately, Extradition request in respect of Shri Nirav Modi, Shri Neeshal Modi and Shri Subhash Shankar Parab forwarded to UAE in August 2018. Extradition request in respect of Shri Neeshal Modi sent to Belgium in |
|  17 | Shri Neeshal Modi                   | October 2018. Extradition request in respect of Shri Subhash Shankar Parab forwarded to Egypt in October 2018. Charge sheet filed. Case is under further investigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|  18 | Shri Subhash Shankar Parab          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|  19 | Shri Sabhya Seth                    | Diffusion Dispatch forms in respect of the accused person has been uploaded. LOC issued. The case is under investigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|  20 | Shri Rajiv Goyal                    | RCN & LOCs opened against both accused.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|  21 | Smt. Alka Goyal                     | The case is under investigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|  22 | Shri Bhadresh Kumar                 | LOC has been issued. The accused has been proclaimed as offender.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

|   23 | Shri Arvind Bhai Bhuva           | The case is under investigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   24 | Shri Ashish Jobanputra           | LOC and RCN active. Documents being scrutinised for initiating overseas enquiries regarding funds diverted abroad. Matter being examined in light of Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. Extradition request sent to USA in 2017.                                                                                                                          |
|   25 | Smt Priti Ashish Jobanputra      | Cases under trial.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|   26 | Shri Jatin Mehta                 | RCN requests against all three accused already sent to Interpol. In respect of Shri Jatin Mehta, Letter Rogatory (LR) sent to UAE and Application under Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 is underway.                                                                                                                                                    |
|   27 | Smt Sonia Jatin Mehta            | Charge sheet filed in one case. Multiple cases under investigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|   28 | Shri Suraj Mehta                 |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|   29 | Shri Ranjan Kashyap              | LOC issued. RCN is being issued. Was convicted and awarded punishment of 03 years imprisonment. He was granted bail by Hon'ble Delhi HC but it was found that he has fled the country.                                                                                                                                                                        |
|   30 | Shri Ankush Sood                 | LOC issued against both accused. Matter taken up with Interpol for issue of RCN.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|   31 | Smt Saloni Sood                  | Case under investigation.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|   32 | Shri Mehul Choksi                | RCN has been opened. LRs sent to Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and USA. Prosecution compliant filed. Application requesting to declare Mr. Choksi a Fugitive Offender and for confiscation of his properties worth Rs. 2345 Crore approx filed. Two separate extradition requests forwarded to Antigua and Barbuda in August 2018. Case under investigation. |
|   33 | Shri Hamel Mahendrabhai Langalia | Extradition request forwarded to UAE authorities in August 2018.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|   34 | Shri Rajeev Verma                | Extradition request forwarded to USA in 2013, pending with US authorities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|   35 | Shri Syed Zainul Hasan           | Proceedings to declare as absconder still going on in the Subordinate Court.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|   36 | Shri Christian Michel James      | Fugitive was successfully extradited back to India from UAE in December 2018.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|   37 | Shri Ramachandran Viswanathan    | Prosecution complaint filed under provisions of PMLA. Investigation is in progress.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|   38 | Shri M.G. Chandrasekhar          |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|   39 | Shri Sanjay Bhandari             | LOC and NBW issued.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|   40 | Shri Deepak Talwar               | LOC issued. Seeking cooperation from Government of UAE under                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|   41 | Smt Deepa Talwar                 | MLAT provisions is pursued upon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|   42 | Shri Lalit Modi                  | NBW issued. Investigation of money trail through LRs is under progress. LRs sent to Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE and Mauritius.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|   43 | Shri S. Harpal Singh Dutta       | LOC issued.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|   44 | Shri Ritesh Jain                 | NBW issued. Prosecution complaint filed. Hon'ble Delhi High Court ordered interim stay on proceedings of the Provisional Attachment/Original Complaint. Writ petition filed by Shri Jain pending before Hon'ble Supreme Court.                                                                                                                                |
|   45 | Shri Mugundhan Ganyam            | Summons issued by Ld. Special Court, PMLA Chandigarh returned by Malaysian authorities with certain queries. The queries along with fresh summon have been issued again that has been sent to MHA.                                                                                                                                                            |
|   46 | Shri Nitish J. Thakur            | Extradition request sent to UAE authorities in April 2018.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|   47 | Shri Mihir Rashmi Bhansali       | Extradition request forwarded to USA in November 2018.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

|   48 | Shri Carlo Valentino Fernando Gerosa   | Separate requests for the extradition of Mr. Gerosa and Mr. Haschke were forwarded in November 2017 and January 2018 respectively, to Italy . Italy returned the requests in March 2018. Separate requests for extradition of Mr. Gerosa and Mr. Haschke again forwarded to Italy in October 2018.   |
|------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   49 | Shri Guido Ralph Haschke               |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |

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