National Times Bureau :- In a significant development in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, a special CBI court has granted pardon to fugitive businessman Nirav Modi’s brother-in-law, Maiank Mehta, thereby designating him as an approver. This move turns a co-accused into a key witness, strengthening the prosecution’s case against Nirav Modi.
The pardon was granted under provisions that allow an accused to be forgiven in return for full disclosure of facts linked to the crime. Mehta, married to Nirav Modi’s sister Purvi, was earlier under scrutiny for his connections with several firms owned by the diamond trader. His position gave him access to vital details about how the fraud was structured, how funds were routed, and the involvement of senior company officials.
The PNB fraud, among the biggest banking scams in India’s history, revolved around fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs), which enabled Nirav Modi’s companies to secure overseas credit through Indian banks.
For the CBI and ED, turning Mehta into an approver marks a strategic win. His testimony is expected to deliver crucial insider evidence on the conspiracy, the money laundering network, and the direct roles played by Nirav Modi and his uncle, Mehul Choksi.
As Nirav Modi continues to resist extradition from the UK, Mehta’s cooperation is being seen as a major blow to the defence, providing the judiciary with vital material to prove guilt in this complex financial fraud.
