Choksi can't be removed from Antigua & Barbuda without HC order

Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India in connection with a Rs 13,000-crore fraud in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) received a big relief from the High Court of Antigua and Barbuda. The Court on Friday, ruled in the favour of the 63-year-old stating that he cannot be removed or extradited from Antigua and Barbuda without its order. The claimant, Mehul Choksi in his civil lawsuit has argued that there is an obligation on the part of the defendants, the Attorney General of Antigua and the Chief of Police to carry out a thorough inquiry and that he has an arguable claim that he was subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Dominica based Nature Isle News reported.

Demanding an investigation into his claims, Choksi has sought relief which includes a declaration that suggests he is entitled to a prompt and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his forcible removal from Antigua and Barbuda on or about May 23, 2021. The developments come two weeks after Choksi's name was removed from INTERPOL's Red Corner Notice (RCN) causing a major setback for Indian agencies which were eyeing to get hold of him for a very long period. CBI said that a case was registered against Mehul Choksi and others on February 15, 2018, for defrauding Punjab National Bank. Subsequently in 2022, CBI registered five more criminal cases against Mehul Choksi and others for defrauding banks and financial institutions.

The diamantaire is wanted in India in connection with a Rs  13,000-crore fraud in the Punjab National Bank (PNB).CBI in its statement said that it remains committed to returning fugitives and criminals to India to face the process of criminal justice.