PNB Scam: Choksi moves to Antigua, takes up local passport
Absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi has left the US to take refuge in the island of Antigua located in the tiny Caribbean country of Antigua and Barbuda. The development came to light after Antiguan authorities informed the Enforcement Directorate about Choksi's arrival in response to a diffusion notice issued by Interpol. Choksi has also taken up an Antiguan passport. Here's more.
Earlier, Choksi had refused to return to India
After his passport got revoked, Mehul Choksi, in March, had written a letter to investigating agencies in India, citing reasons as to why he wouldn't return to the country. He called the probe unfair, cited health issues, and even said that he might get lynched.
Choksi currently has a non-bailable arrest warrant against him
Choksi, one of the main accused in the Rs. 12,000cr+ PNB fraud case alongside Nirav Modi, had left India in January, just weeks before the scam was uncovered. The CBI has booked Choksi in two separate cases related to the fraud, and the diamantaire has a non-bailable arrest warrant against him, issued by a special Mumbai court.
Interpol is still processing CBI's RCN request against Choksi
Following the issuance of the non-bailable warrant against Choksi, the CBI had moved Interpol in June for a Red Corner Notice against Choksi which would allow all member-nations of Interpol to arrest and extradite the absconding diamond trader. However, the application is still under process. Meanwhile, Interpol has already issued Red Corner Notices for Nirav Modi and his brother Nishal.
