01/08/18

Antiguan Government assures it will “honour any legitimate request” to detain Mehul Choksi

(Indian Tribune) -- As per the information shared by govt officials, the Indian authority had requested to the authorities in Antigua and Barbuda to detain PNBNSE -0.87 % scam mastermind Mehul Choksi.

Mr Mehul Choksi along with his nephew Nirav Modi left India in January this year just a fortnight before the scam was exposed.

The Indian high officials said that “As soon as the Ministry of External Affairs received information of the likely presence of Mehul Choksi in Antigua, the High Commission in Georgetown alerted the Antigua and Barbuda government, in writing and verbally, to confirm his presence in their territory and detain him and prevent his movement by land, air or sea”.

The Antiguan government assured to provide “honour any legitimate request” though India does not hold any treaty with the country.

The PNB thug had acquired the citizenship of the Antigua to expand his business.

The officials of the country stated that they would not have provided the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda if they would have been aware of the PNB scam. Mr Greene told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

CBI filed the case against the PNB Scam king and his nephew celebrity jeweller Nirav Modi on 29 January after scanning them as the rightful culprit of the scam. They are being investigated by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate for the fraud of Rs 13,500 crores. They had been using the fake guarantees in the name of Govt Bank, Punjab National BANK.

The Govt Official also informed that “Our high commissioner is meeting the relevant authorities in A&B government today. We continue to liaise with relevant GOI agencies and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to follow up on this matter “.

Antigua and Barbuda with the population of about 81,800 are one of the tax harbours in the Caribbean which holds no extradition treaty with India, making it hard to hunt the diamond thief and Scam head.

India cancelled the passport of both the accused in February.