Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Income Tax (I-T) department to file a reply to a petition by fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi's firm, Camelot Enterprises, challenging the auction of 68 paintings belonging to him.
A bench of justices Akil Kureshi and Sarang Kotwal directed the I-T department to file its reply by April 1.
Earlier this month, a special court in the city had permitted the I-T department to auction 68 paintings owned by Nirav Modi and his shell firm, Camelot Enterprises.
The firm approached the Bombay HC against the auction, calling it unlawful.
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On March 26, the I-T department, in accordance with the special court order, auctioned 55 of the 68 paintings and claimed to have raised Rs 55 crore.
On March 22, a special court in the city had permitted the Enforcement Directorate to auction 11 luxury vehicles belonging to Nirav Modi, and had permitted the Income Tax department to auction the high-value art collection belonging to the jeweller.
Nirav Modi, an accused in the PNB scam, was arrested in London last week and remanded in judicial custody by a local court there.
