Nirav, Choksi tell staff they will not get their salaries; look for other jobs

In a blow to the employees of both Nirav Modi’s and Mehul Choksi’s firms, the duo wrote to their employees informing them that he would not be able to pay their dues, says reports.

Nirav wrote to his employees few days ago asking them to look for job opportunities elsewhere as he would not be able to pay them, said a report on Economic Times. Soon after, Choksi too wrote to his employees that he has been facing a lot of problems due to the manner in which “multiple investigating agencies have started to create havoc”, which are “hell bent on stopping the operations”.

“I will face my destiny and I know I have done nothing wrong and ultimately, the truth shall prevail,” said Choksi in the letter, reported the Hindustan Times . His lawyer Sanjay Abbot stated that the letter has been issued to around 3,500 employees based in India.

“We don’t know how many employees will get the letter as Choksi’s server has been seized by investigation agencies,” added Abbot.

Choksi said the investigating agencies are creating a fear psychosis among his employees.

“This kind of unfair treatment, unfair investigation, media frenzy and political statements are making me highly insecure about the safety of myself and my family members,” stated Choksi.

He told the employees that he didn’t want them to suffer because of their association or connection with him and therefore they should look for jobs elsewhere.

Choksi also asked them to retain their office laptops and mobile phones till their dues are cleared.

Modi and Choksi have been accused of defrauding India’s second biggest lender, Punjab National Bank, of an estimated Rs 11400 crore with the help of a couple of bank employees.

“The ministry of external affairs (MEA) sent an email informing Nirav that his passport stands revoked under section 10 (3) (C) of the Passport Act,” said a person familiar with the matter.

Section 10 (3) (C) of the Act says that a passport can be revoked in the interests of the sovereignty, integrity, security of the country or friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public. Revoking the passport of an accused is aimed at stopping the person from travelling from one country to another to avoid arrest.

Nirav along with his wife Ami, brother Neeshal and Mehul Choksi left India in the first week of January before the Punjab National Bank accused them of committing the fraud. They have not returned to India since then.

The CBI and ED have launched probe against them on charges of corruption and money laundering.