New Delhi: Fraudsters Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi will now have to travel either by public transport or buy a new car if they come back to India. The Enforcement Directorate has auctioned a fleet of 13 cars owned by the two. 

According to the agency, out of a total of 13 cars, 12 cars were auctioned, and a total amount of Rs3,29,00,000 (approximately) was made from the auction. Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi owned super luxury cars like the Rolls Royce Ghost, Mercedes SUV, Porsche among others. Interestingly, the cost of a new Rolls Royce ghost is nearly rupees six crore and was auctioned for Rs1.33 crore.

"Attached vehicles of absconding bank fraud accused Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choksi were e-auctioned through Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Ltd. (MSTC) as per order (dated 20.03.2019) of Hon’ble Special Judge (PMLA), Mumbai. There are 13 vehicles (11 belonging to Nirav Modi Group and two belonging to Mehul Choksi) put on e-auction through MSTC platform on 25.04.2019. Out of these 13 vehicles, 12 vehicles (10 vehicles of Nirav Modi Group and two vehicles of Mehul choksi Group) were successfully bided for a total amount of Rupees 3,28,94293 (₹ 3.29 Crore approx.)," ED said.

According to the ED, the cars which were auctioned are a silver Rolls Royce with a reserve price of Rs 1,33,00,000, a Porsche worth Rs 54,60,000, a red Mercedes Benz Rs 14,00,000, a white Mercedes Benz Rs 37,80,000 and a BMW Rs 9,80,000. Other cars sold are a Honda Brio, a Toyota Innova, Honda CRV, Toyota Fortuner, Skoda Superb Elegance, Toyota Corolla Altis and a Toyota Innova Crysta.

The money that was recovered through the auction is a minimal amount if compared to the total cost of properties attached by ED. The ED reported a total attachment of Rs1873.08 crore & a total seizure of Rs 489.75 crore to vide 20 seizure orders in the Nirav Modi case including various overseas assets and bank accounts. The total attachment also includes foreign attachments totalling Rs 961.49 crore in Hong Kong, Switzerland, USA, Singapore & UAE.

Also read: Scamster Nirav Modi made to pay up, paintings auctioned for Rs 55 crore