Dagger hangs on Choksi’s Antigua citizenship

The Indian fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi, an accused in Punjab National Bank scam to get a big blow as Prime Minister Gaston Browne indicated that Choksi’s citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda will be revoked soon after his all the legal options would be exhausted.

Last year before the PNB scam involving an amount of Indian rupees 14,500 crores unearthed in India, Choksi had fled to Antigua and Barbuda. He had secured the country’s citizenship through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme.

Claiming that the Antigua and Barbuda government has very strict scrutiny process PM Browne said that the person who seeks the benefit of the country’s citizenship through CBI programme will go through an intense scrutiny process.

He further said that recourse is available in cases where people have evaded the process. While especially pointing out the case of Choksi he said that his Citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda will be revoked in a short period.

Strongly defending the CIB programme of the country PM Brown said that this is not a case that Antigua and Barbuda is providing any safe harbour for criminals, especially involved in economic frauds. “Choksi’s citizenship was processed, he got through. We do have recourse, the reality is that his citizenship will be revoked and he will be deported to India,” he said.

“Presently the matter is before the court, so we have to allow for due process. We have conveyed the Indian Government that criminals also have fundamental rights and Choksi has a right to go to court to defend his position. But I can assure you, after he has exhausted all of his legal options, he will be extradited.”

Choksi has been evading the hearing in India by filling affidavits seeking exemption on the grounds of his poor medical condition, which does not allow him to travel.

Now, the Bombay High Court has directed the fugitive jeweller's counsel's to submit all his latest medical reports and papers. The medical reports will be sent to a hospital in India for cross-checking that to know if Choksi is fit to travel or not. A team of doctors is asked to prepare a sealed report and submit it to the court by July 9.

The fugitive jeweller has claimed that he had no intentions of avoiding the prosecution when he left India in 2018, the only reason to travel away was to undergo a bypass surgery.

He would return to India if he is medically fit, Choksi has told the court in an affidavit.

The Indian government is continuously pushing for Choksi’s extradition. Recently, the Indian investigation agency, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has rejected the Choksi’s plea to question him in Antigua.

A plea was filled by Choksi in an Indian High Court- where the hearing of PNB fraud case is on- seeking to join the investigation if he is questioned through video conferencing or in Antigua, citing his poor medical condition.

However, ED has told the court that Choksi has never cooperated in the investigation. “A red notice was issued by the Interpol and A non-bailable warrant was also issued against him. He has refused to return,” they added.

The Indian investigation agency told the court in its counter-affidavit: "The ED is ready to provide a team of medical experts along with an air ambulance to bring the Choksi from Antigua to India under the proper medical supervision."

Choksi was given several opportunities to join the probe but he evaded questioning, the ED added.