The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully facilitated the deportation of Sandeep Mistry from the United Arab Emirates to India. Mistry is a key figure wanted in the Nirav Modi Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. This operation involved the collaboration of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), resulting in his return to face legal proceedings in India.

Sandeep Mistry was identified as a significant participant in the fraudulent activities associated with the PNB scam. He allegedly played a crucial role in managing operations among various entities involved in fictitious international trade transactions, manipulating documents to enhance the appearance of legitimacy in diamond, gold, and pearl jewellery dealings.

The legal process was expedited after a Red Notice was issued by INTERPOL at the request of the CBI in July 2026. Following the issuance of this notice, the UAE authorities located and arrested Mistry, thereby allowing the deportation process to commence swiftly.

Involvement in Bank Fraud and Coercion of Directors

Mistry is accused of being integral to the operations that perpetrated the bank fraud. According to CBI reports, he utilised clandestine communication platforms to conceal evidence and directed the activities of accomplices. This included issuing instructions to facilitate the creation of forged documents that misrepresented transactions as genuine.

Additionally, the CBI claims that Mistry and his associates intimidated the dummy directors of foreign firms. They allegedly threatened these individuals with arrest, confiscated their electronic devices, and forced them to sign documents falsely presenting them as legitimate owners of the companies involved. This level of coercion highlights the extent of Mistry’s involvement in illegal operations.

Moreover, Mistry is accused of aiding in the misappropriation of funds from the accounts of these dummy companies based in the UAE, worsening the financial impact of the scam. The CBI filed a charge-sheet against him in a competent court, pushing forward the judicial process in this case.

Continuing Legal Challenges for Nirav Modi

Nirav Modi, the principal accused in the PNB fraud case, remains in a London prison since 2019. In a recent ruling, the London Circuit Commercial Court mandated that he pay over $10.7 million (more than ₹100 crore) to the Bank of India. This payment relates to a loan initially extended in 2012 to Firestar Diamond FZE, a firm associated with Modi.

The court noted that Modi had executed a personal guarantee for the loan, which obligated him to repay it in the event of default. Despite his claims that he was unaware of the demand notices due to his absence from India, the court maintained that proper procedures had been followed to inform him. The ruling reflects the deterioration of the financial status of Modi’s companies following investigations into the alleged fraud.

The case against Modi became prominent following the registration of an FIR by the CBI in February 2018, which unveiled fraudulent transactions worth nearly $2 billion. With the court’s recent decision, Modi’s legal standing has weakened further as he continues to contest extradition proceedings in the UK, now attempting to seek relief from the European Court of Human Rights.

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