Wednesday, 11th December 2024

Mehul Choksi’s lawyer Michael Polak under SRA, BSB lens for fabricating evidences

After formal complaints to Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standard Board (BSB), Justice Abroad’s Director and London based barrister Michael Polak removed some fabricated evidences and a video from his website concerning the alleged kidnapping of Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi.

Saturday, 26th June 2021

Director of Justice Abroad, Barrister Michael Polak
London: After formal complaints to Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar Standard Board (BSB), Justice Abroad’s Director and London based barrister Michael Polak removed some fabricated evidences and a video from his website concerning the alleged kidnapping of Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi. Following the articles published by the UK Lawyer on his company website, Justice Abroad lacking evidence, SRA and BSB registered a complaint against him. According to the media, the complaint was formally delivered to SRA on June 24, 2021, against Michael Polak’s communication to media (related to Mehul Choksi case) and complaint to Scotland Yard and War Crimes Unit without holding evidence to back the claims. The complaint further outlines that barrister Michael Polak failed to conduct KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks on his client Mehul Choksi before taking his case. In the UK, lawyers need to follow some guidelines before taking the case, which includes a proper check of the source of funds and payment getaway.

Polak’s legal position and corporate responsibilities are under question as he has been continuously making changes to the statements he has given before. According to the activity on Justice Abroad Limited, it has changed its address from Church Court Chambers, second floor, Goldsmith Building Temple London to a new address of The Argyle Club 25 Southampton Buildings, London on June 24, 2021, immediately after publication contacted him related to questions over his alleged fabrication of evidences.

Apart from this, local media also reported that Justice Abroad Limited registered under the UK Companies House, poses as a consular or diplomat in its business activity. It has described its functions as SIC 84210, which are related to Foreign Affairs only, such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic or Consular mission stationed in different countries. Justice Abroad is a Private Limited Company which makes it impossible to function as a government body. Earlier, Justice Abroad was on the verge of being struck off the register of the UK Companies House.

According to the complaint registered against Michael Polak, serious action are being expected. The experts say that the UK is stringent as the KYC and AML in concerned and any irregularity in it would not be tolerated by authorities. They also noted that Polak could also lose his law license if he continues to fabricate the evidence of the law in favour of his clients.

Even though, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda had earlier said during the sitting of the Parliament that there is no conclusive evidence of abduction of Mehul Choksi from Antigua and Barbuda.

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Mehul Choksi is an Indian fugitive who is wanted for over $2 billion fraud in India and currently holds citizenship of the Caribbean island Antigua and Barbuda. Choksi took headlines after he went missing in Antigua, Jolly Harbour area and was later arrested in another Caribbean country Dominica. Since then, a trial is going on against him in Dominican court.

The next hearing would take place on July 6. On a recent hearing, Choksi’s lawyers state that his health is not good and he requires a private doctor for treatment, which was later denied by the court.