Rs.2000-crore scam ED gets more time.
The ED's plea for the custody of Popular Finance owners Thomas Daniel and Rinu Mariam for a further six days mentions the defendants' overseas investments. Since 2003, Thomas Daniel has served as a director of Popular Group Pvt Ltd, an Australian corporation.
Thomas Daniel responded in the first round of questions that he was unaware of the Australian business and that he was not its director. When he was questioned in detention, the truth came out. However, Daniel continues to keep the amount of money he has put in the firm a secret.
Thomas Daniel and his family have been spotted in other states as well. In 2006, he purchased a five-story building in Bengaluru, and in 2009, he purchased 9 acres of property in Thanjavur. Later, land in andhra pradesh was purchased. In Thiruvalla and Pathanamthitta, he owns flats and land. 276 Popular Finance branches were upgraded at a cost of crores.