Gurdip 'Dev' Bath gets win in libel battle against media

London, UK: Gurdip 'Dev' Bath, a St Kitts and Nevis' national has won the legal battle against a media organization that falsely accused him of abducting Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi from Antigua and Barbuda on May 23, 2021.

A European news organization named 'EU Reporter' published an article accusing Bath of alleged involvement in the Mehul Choksi case. Following the defamation case, the EU Reporter was slapped with a lawsuit of a hefty fine, which Bath later contributed to London Ambulance services. [caption id="attachment_35931" align="aligncenter" width="374"] Gurdip 'Dev' Bath while talking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi[/caption]

Following the lawsuit, EU Reporter published an apology on their website, stating that they have settled libel proceedings with Bath and have paid an agreed sum in settlement of his claim and legal costs to his nominated charity.

"We repeat our profuse apology to Mr Dev Bath, and we have today settled libel proceedings with Mr Dev Bath and have paid an agreed sum in settlement of his claim and legal costs to his nominated charity, St John Ambulance UK," said EU Reporter.

[caption id="attachment_35932" align="aligncenter" width="487"] Clipping of article published by EU Reporter about Bath[/caption]

"We completely accept that Mr Dev Bath was falsely and unjustly accused of being involved in the alleged kidnapping of Mehul Choksi, a fugitive from Indian justice, who alleged he was a victim of a state-sponsored kidnapping from Antigua and Barbuda by boat on or about May 23 2021, on behalf of the Indian Government and handed over to the authorities of the Commonwealth of Dominica, where he is currently detained. The motive was said to be to circumvent ongoing extradition proceedings in Antigua, where India is the requesting state," said EU Reporter in an apology published on their website.

The EU Reporter also quoted an investigation carried out by Mr Tarique Ghaffur CBE QPM, a former Assistant Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Service, who have interviewed all individuals allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Mehul Choksi. Ghaffur has exonerated all accused, stating that they were falsely and unjustly accused in the case.

EU Reporter further said, "We completely accept the documented findings of a team of experienced investigators directed by the International lawyer Mr Gary Summers of Counsel, of 9 Bedford Row International Chambers and led by Mr Tarique Ghaffur CBE QPM a former Assistant Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Service who have interviewed all the subjects accused of being involved in the kidnapping and have completely exonerated Mr Gurdip (Dev) Bath along with three other subjects falsely and unjustly accused: Ms Barbara Jarabik; Mr Gurmit Singh & Mr Gurjit Singh Bhandal."

"We completely accept that Mr Dev Bath has always been a very honourable man of complete integrity who would never associate himself with sleeze or criminal activity of whatever kind," concluded the apology message.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne during question hour in the national parliament had clearly stated that Mehul Choksi was not abducted from Antigua and Barbuda and there is no evidence to prove this claim. He also added that no formal complaint or intimation had been forwarded to Scotland Yard or any other agency by the Government for the alleged abduction of Mehul Choksi.

Moreover, Dominica's Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit had also rubbished all the claims that the Government was involved in the alleged abduction of Choksi. Skerrit also refuted the allegations of a plot between the Government of India, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, terming it "Total Nonsense".

Further investigations revealed that Gurdip 'Dev' Bath does not have a business-related association with London-based businessman, Hardip 'Peter' Virdee, fake news was being spread by media

Bath was also accused of having a stake in the company named CS Global Partners Limited, which is among the top Citizenship by Investment agents. It was also revealed that Dev Bath never had any share holding or investment in the company; however, he has served as a director in the company in 2012-2013, but he resigned from his position on 19 July 2013 and since then he have had no association with CS Global Partners or its subsidiaries.

Mehul Choksi - an Indian fugitive wanted in India for over US $2 billion fraud, suddenly went missing from Jolly Harbour, Antigua and Barbuda on May 23, 2021 and was found in Dominica a few days after; his lawyers came out with self-made theories. They alleged that Choksi was abducted through a joint mission carried out by Indian and Antiguan agencies.

The next hearing of Mehul Choksi's bail plea is scheduled for 12 July 2021, which was previously set on July 23. The bail hearing was preponed on the grounds of neurological health issues.