India / 1st pics of PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi from jail in Dominica surface

New Delhi: Fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi, who was recently captured after he went missing from Antigua, was seen in the custody of the police in Dominica in a photo obtained by local media on Saturday shortly after a court in the Caribbean island nation extended its order restraining Choksi's deportation till Wednesday. The court also directed that the 62-year-old businessman be taken to a hospital for medical attention and a COVID-19 test.

Meanwhile, in keeping with the Order of the High Court of Dominica, Counsel for Choksi has presented additional information on what they claim as proof of Choksi being allegedly abducted and brought to Dominica. The Antigua Newsroom reported that in the deposition, Choski claims that he was abducted at Jolly’s Bay in Antigua by Indian and Antiguan men and taken on a boat to an undisclosed location. The fugitive businessman, wanted in PNB fraud case, said that he was beaten in the process.

"My client is a human being not some pawn that he can be just put in any square in the game of chess as per anybody’s desire or on anybody’s statement. My stand is vindicated and I am filled with gratitude and appreciation seeing the statement of United progressive party Antigua, recognizing that Antigua ought to protect the rights of every citizen," said Advocate Vijay Aggarwal.

"My client Mr Mehul Choksi is a citizen of Antigua and is entitled to all constitutional protections under Antiguan constitution and is entitled to all remedies available to him under the law which he has even successfully availed," he further added.

The report further stated that as per the court order, Choksi was medically examined at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital and also had to undergo the COVID-19 test. The results are negative and he has been placed in quarantine. His matter will be heard on 3rd June.

On Wednesday, the court will hear a habeas corpus plea - which determines whether a detention is lawful - filed by Choksi, who has been charged with entering the country illegally, throwing up another hurdle to the Indian government's attempts to have him brought home and tried in India's largest bank fraud case.

Meanwhile, an aircraft that departed from Delhi has been reportedly spotted in Dominica amid the possibilities of deportation of Choksi. Reports claim that a Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft of Qatar Executive landed at the Douglas Charles Airport in Dominica on May 28.

Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne said confirmed that a private jet currently at the Douglas-Charles Airport in Dominica is from India. Browne gave an explanation on his radio programme today after a picture of the jet was posted.

It is worth adding that after Choksi was detained, Antigua refused to take him back and PM Browne said that the country was in talks with the Dominican as well as Indian governments for his repatriation to India. The Choksi row has lit up a political firestorm in Antigua.

Browne on Saturday hit back at opposition party United Progressive Party (UPP) and accused it of supporting fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi in order to secure campaign funding. Browne said, “After mischievously accusing my administration of harbouring Mehul Choksi, who has an Interpol Red Notice, they are now seeking to sanitize this fugitive to get campaign funding. My administration’s revocation of Choksi’s citizenship has been frustrated by a litigation brought against the state,” reported in Antiguan media.

“We are determined to revoke Choksi’s citizenship and to concurrently pursue his extradition to India to face criminal charges there. There has been no violation of Choksi’s legal and constitutional protections, despite the decision of my administration to revoke his citizenship,” Browne further added.

For the unversed, investigators in India have filed fraud charges against Choksi, his nephew, Nirav Modi, and others in connection with their suspected involvement in fraudulent transactions that led to losses of about Rs 14,000 crore for public sector lender Punjab National Bank (PNB).

PNB alleged in 2018 that a few of its rogue employees had issued fake Letter of Undertakings (LoUs) over several years to help jewellery groups controlled by Modi and Choksi to raise funds in foreign credit. Both Modi and Choksi have denied any wrongdoing. Nirav Modi fled the country and was arrested in London in 2019 and is fighting extradition to India. The Indian government has been pushing for Choksi's extradition from Antigua and Barbuda.