Nirav Modi’s effigy burned for Holika celebrations in Mumbai

In a different way of celebrating Holika Dahan, the residents of BDD Chawl in Worli, Mumbai burnt an effigy of Nirav Modi on Thursday night.

The effigy was more than 50-feet high and was seen wearing a brown suit and sitting pretty on a large diamond. It was placed atop a large stack of hay and had a placard that read “PNB Ghotala, Diamond King” in Marathi.

Punjab National Bank has claimed that both Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, who is the promoter of Gitanjali Gems, have cheated the nationalized bank to the tune of Rs 12,400 crores. They are currently being investigated by CBI and ED.

Both of the accused are currently not in India, as they flew abroad before the case came to light. However, the Income Tax Department has issued a Look Out Circular (LoC) against them.

“Nirav Modi should be brought back to India and all the money should be recovered from him. This is the only message that we wanted to give on Holika Dahan,” Pratik Kale, the man who made the effigy, told ANI.

Reportedly, in 2016, the residents BDD Chawl had Vijay Mallya’s effigy burned similarly as a symbol of their frustration in the loan default case against the businessman. Mallya’s effigy was set atop a large stack of hay and a sported board that read “Bhaag Mallya Bhaag”.