Nirav Modi entered UK on investor’s visa after fraud scandal broke

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 15, 2019

Nirav Modi was able to enter the UK on a previously issued investor’s visa after news of his accused fraud at the Punjab National Bank broke in the media, new reports show.

UK government sources gave the Times of India new information in the ongoing Nirav Modi fraud case on March 14. It has transpired that Modi was able to enter the UK on a Tier-1 (investor) visa, obtained by investing £2 million in either UK government bonds or shares of a UK company. 

Modi had fled India for the US in January 2018 before news of his alleged fraud broke in the press a month later. Modi then travelled from the US to the UK on his passport and used his already valid Tier-1 visa to enter the country, applications for which can be made from overseas. 

Although Modi’s passport had been revoked, he was believed to be travelling freely until November 2018 when Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against him. Between February and November 2018 Modi visited Belgium where his father resides and where he applied for asylum. Following the RCN, Modi cannot leave the UK but he can continue to run his new UK business. 

Even after Modi’s passport was revoked, he was able to travel as revocation of a passport apparently does not affect the validity of the visa which is believed to have been issued several years ago. The Times of India found a business named Diamond Holdings which is linked to the Centre Point London apartment building where Modi is reported to be living. Documents accessed by the Times of India show that Diamond Holdings was launched on May 24, 2018 as a wholesale jewellery company. The business address is registered in Harrow, where Modi’s accountants, Dattani Chartered Accountants, is also registered.