The Centre has opposed two public interest litigations (PILs) submitted before the Supreme Court that have called for the deportation of absconding businessman Nirav Modi and independent investigation of his alleged illegal dealings with some officials of the Punjab National Bank (PNB).

Petitioner Vineet Dhanda appealed to the apex court to issue a notice to the Centre to take steps to bring Modi back, and pointed out that the government is yet to deliver on cases related to absconding liquor baron Vijay Mallya.

After hearing the arguments, the apex court adjourned the matter till March 16.

The second petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma sought a court-monitored SIT probe into the over Rs. 11300 crore PNB scam.

The alleged fraudulent transactions to the tune of over Rs 11300 crore were made through letters of understanding issued by the PNB. Niravi Modi and Gitanjali Gems Chairman and Managing Director Mehul Choksi have been accused of doing so.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are probing the matter and conducting searches and raids at various locations linked with Nirav Modi and Gitanjali Gems.

The scam was started in 2011 and was detected in the third week of January this year, after which the PNB officials reported it to the concerned agencies. (ANI)

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