Fugitive Mehul Choksi fights extradition, pleads grave illness

Fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi moved an application in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court stating his long history of heart disease and a blood clot in the brain to fight his extradition.

The move comes after it was reported that the extradition process has started in Antigua against the embattled diamond jeweller. The court has reportedly adjourned the matter for April 9.

Choksi’s counsel Vijay and Ashul Agarwal submitted his detailed medical history citing ailments that constrained him from travelling, hence his alleged inability to return to India.

His counsel placed 38 documents on record including latest prescriptions in which doctors have recommended his remaining under continuous medical supervision in Antigua and avoid travelling as this could cause a further deterioration of his already grave medical condition.

Mehul Choksi and nephew Nirav Modi are kingpins of the Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud.

Choksi was granted citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda on January 15, 2018.