India, Oct. 20 -- Holding that an accused cannot evade legal proceedings for years and then seek relief, a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Monday rejected Mihir Resham Bhansali's plea to cancel a non-bailable warrant issued against him in a Rs.6,498-crore tranche of the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case linked to fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi. The court noted that Bhansali had remained absconding for years despite knowing about the proceedings.

Special judge Subhash K Karhale observed that Bhansali had deliberately stayed outside India and evaded the legal process. The court noted that his trial was separated in November 2023 due to his continued absence, a proclamation had been issued against him and his pas...