No evidence proves Mehul Choksi's abduction from Antigua: PM Browne

PM Gaston Browne said that there is no conclusive evidence proving that the Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi was abducted from Jolly Harbour.

Wednesday, 23rd June 2021

No evidence to proves Mehul Choksi's abduction from Antigua: PM Browne

St John's Antigua and Barbuda: The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne declared that there is no conclusive evidence proving that the Indian fugitive Diamantaire Mehul Choksi was abducted from Jolly Harbour. Prime Minister made the remarks during a parliament proceeding when the leader of the opposition Jamale Pringle. PM Browne stated that "I'm not aware of the evidence, but there's information in the public domain that Mehul Choksi was abducted," noted the Antiguan Prime Minister. He also said that there was no breach of border security, and the boat ostensibly used for the alleged abduction entered Antigua and Barbuda legally. "I am not aware that there's any legal breach as suggested by the honourable member of parliament from All Saints East & St. Luke," stated the Prime Minister. Gaston Browne also stated that the Royal Police Antigua and Barbuda Police Force issued the Yellow Notice to Interpol to try and locate Mehul Choksi when he was reported missing. Mehul Choksi is an Indian diamantaire who is a current citizen of Antigua and Barbuda. He is also a declared fugitive by the Indian authorities in a $2 billion fraud against the country's second-biggest public lender Punjab National Bank (PNB). On May 23, 2021, Mehul Choksi mysteriously went missing, and two days later, he was captured by the Dominican authorities. It is believed that Mehul Choksi left the island nation willingly as he was running away from his extradition to India. Currently, the fugitive is facing trial in the High Court of Dominica, where the court has refused his bail, saying "he is a flight danger" because of a red corner notice issued against his name by Interpol. The diamantaire's family have been alleging that Choksi was abducted through a joint operation carried out by the Antigua and Indian authorities, however they are yet to prove their claims.