India submits extradition request for Mehul Choksi to Antigua
India has submitted a request to Antigua to extradite Mehul Chokdi, Gitanjali Gems chairman, one of the key accused in the Rs. 12,000cr PNB scam. An Indian team arrived in the island nation to talk to the authorities, and formally handed over the request yesterday. Earlier reports had said India had requested the authorities to restrict his movements by land, sea or air.
How Nirav Modi, uncle pulled off India's biggest banking fraud
During 2011-17, Nirav Modi, owner of the Nirav Modi brand of jewels, and his uncle Mehul Choksi connived with PNB officials to get loans issued fraudulently. The scam, initially estimated at Rs. 280cr, grew to Rs. 13,400cr as the probe progressed. Modi and Choksi left India weeks before news broke in February. Responding to multiple summons, both have refused to return.
Revocation of passport and the Interpol's intervention
In February, India revoked Choksi's passport. Interpol then issued a 'diffusion' against him to keep member countries informed of wanted persons. Accordingly, Antiguan authorities this month informed the ED about Choksi's arrival in the country; he was believed to be in the US before that. In a setback to India, he also took up citizenship, which allows him visa-free access to 132 countries.
No adverse record from India during processing of Choksi's citizenship:Antigua
Incidentally, Antiguan approval of Choksi's citizenship came in May'17, after Indian agencies cleared his background check. The MEA said a police clearance certificate had been issued to him based on a clear verification report on his passport. There were two instances of SEBI action against him, but one was "satisfactorily closed" and the other had "insufficient evidence."
For now, India has some options to get Choksi back
Though India has no extradition-treaty with Antigua, there are several clauses in its citizenship application that New Delhi can use against Choksi. For example, individuals can't be subject of a criminal investigation and shouldn't provide false information during application. Non-following of these rules can lead to revocation of citizenship. Antigua has indicated it may consider "a legitimate request" from India to send back Choksi.
