There was no meeting between Nirav Modi and PM in Davos: Ravi Shankar Prasad
New Delhi, Feb 15 (IBNS): Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said PNB fraud accused luxury diamond jeweller Nirav Modi did not interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Davos.
He said Nirav Modi was not a part of Prime Minister Modi's delegation to Davos.
"He went to Davos on his own.. He was present at CII group photo event ," Prasad said.
"He was not part of the delegation," he said.
"Nirav Modi had no private meeting with the Prime Minister," Prasad said.
Prasad made the statement amid allegation by the Congress that Nirav Modi was part of a picture that was taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Davos with his delegation.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi shared an image on social media where the PM could be seen with Indian CEOs at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January.
Nirav Modi could be seen in the group photo which also features PM Modi.
"What criteria does the Prime Minister use to select the CEOs accompanying him on foreign trips? #NiravModi #PNBScam," Gogoi tweeted.
Prasad also attacked Congress over using the word "Chhota Modi".
"Congress using words like 'Chotta Modi' is not acceptable. BJP takes strong offence to the language used. It is derogatory," Prasad said.
Meanwhile, attacking the PM, Congress supremo Rahul Gandhi said diamond merchant Nirvav Modi's Rs 11,500 crore fraud in the country's second-biggest state-run bank was a guide to "looting India".
He said the 'guide' involved 'hugging' Narendra Modi and then escaping the country.
"Guide to Looting India by Nirav MODI 1. Hug PM Modi 2. Be seen with him in DAVOS Use that clout to: A. Steal 12,000Cr B. Slip out of the country like Mallya, while the Govt looks the other way. #From1MODI2another," Gandhi tweeted attacking Narendra Modi and his government over the alleged scam.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the home, offices and showrooms of Nirav Modi, the globally acclaimed diamond jeweler, with regard to the alleged Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, according to media reports on Thursday.
The raids were conducted across Delhi and Mumbai, media reported.
Reportedly, ED has filed Rs 11,300 crore case against Nirav Modi.
On Wednesday, India's second largest government bank, PNB said that $1.8 billion or over Rs. 11,000 crore of taxpayers' money had been illegally transferred abroad to select customers from a single branch in Mumbai, reported NDTV.
The news channel also reported that Nirav Modi, 48, is already being investigated by the CBI in connection with fraud worth Rs. 280 crore. The diamond merchant was raided by Income Tax officials on January 31; his offices in Delhi, Surat and Jaipur were searched.
According to some media reports on Thursday, Nirav Modi has written to banks saying that he will repay the loans.
Reports say that he is ready to pay Rs 5,000 crore, reported CNN-News18.
The news channel also quoted ED as saying that Nirav Modi is in Switzerland now.
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