ED Deletes Look Out Circular Against Nirav Modi's Brother-in-Law

In a significant development in the Nirav Modi case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has deleted the look out circular (LOC) issued against Maiank Mehta, the brother-in-law of the fugitive diamantaire. This decision was informed to the special CBI and PMLA court in Mumbai on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

Maiank Mehta had approached the court seeking the withdrawal or cancellation of the LOC issued against him on June 15, 2018, at the request of the ED. Mehta's lawyer, Manavendra Mishra, argued that his client was initially named as an accused in the case but was later made an approver by the court through its order dated January 4, 2021.

As an approver, Mehta has been cooperating with the investigation and has provided valuable information to the authorities. His lawyer also submitted that Mehta is a British citizen and his business is based in Hong Kong, requiring his presence there for day-to-day operations. Additionally, Mehta needs to visit countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and Canada for client meetings and deliberations.

The ED's prosecutor, Arvind Aghav, had initially opposed Mehta's application. However, when the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, he informed the court that the LOC issued against Mehta had been deleted. Based on the ED's submissions, the court disposed of Mehta's application and directed the ED to communicate its decision to delete the LOC to the Bureau of Immigration.

The deletion of the LOC against Maiank Mehta is a significant development in the Nirav Modi case, which has been ongoing for several years. Nirav Modi is accused of perpetrating a massive bank fraud and is currently a fugitive. The case has led to a major crackdown on money laundering and fraud in India, with several high-profile arrests and convictions.

The ED's decision to delete the LOC against Mehta is likely to have implications for the ongoing investigation into the Nirav Modi case. As an approver, Mehta's cooperation has been crucial in uncovering the details of the fraud and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

In the context of the Nirav Modi case, the deletion of the LOC against Maiank Mehta is a significant step forward. The case has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of financial transactions and the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating money laundering and fraud.

The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the future of financial regulation in India and the ability of law enforcement agencies to combat white-collar crime. The deletion of the LOC against Maiank Mehta is a positive development in this regard, as it demonstrates the ED's commitment to pursuing justice and holding perpetrators accountable.

In conclusion, the deletion of the LOC against Maiank Mehta is a significant development in the Nirav Modi case, with implications for the ongoing investigation and the future of financial regulation in India. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the need for greater scrutiny of financial transactions to combat money laundering and fraud.