CBI takes steps to bring back fugitive Choksi

MUMBAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken steps to get fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the PNB bank fraud case, extradited from Caribbean tax haven Antigua, whose citizenship he procured in November 2017 at a time the scam was undetected. According to CBI sources, the agency has sent its request to the Ministry of Home Affairs for forwarding it, via the Ministry of External Affairs, to Antiguan authorities.

The Asian Age had first reported on July 27 that despite the absence of an extradition treaty with Antigua, where Choksi moved from the US, the CBI will seek the help of authorities in Antigua in getting him back to India to face trial in the case. CBI sources said the agency has cited three grounds on the basis of which Choksi, who is the uncle of case co-accused, can be brought back. The agency has referred to the principle of reciprocity where fugitives can be exchanged between two countries as and when required, principle of dual criminality which states that the alleged charge on the fugitive should be an offence in both the countries, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which both Antigua and India are signatories, said sources.

The UN Convention urges its signatory nations to cooperate in the matters pertaining to corruption, they said. The CBI is probing the PNB fraud case related to the alleged fraudulent issuance of LoUs of '12,000 crore to firms allegedly controlled by Choksi and Nirav Modi.

The CBI move comes amidst media reports that Indian agencies told the Caribbean nation that there was no adverse information against Mehul Choksi when it did a background check on the fugitive billionaire before granting him citizenship in 2017.

According to a statement of Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda, which was published in an Antiguan paper, Antigua claimed that Indian agencies had not shared any "derogatory information" about Choksi during its background checks.

Choksi was granted citizenship in November 2017.

After getting Antiguan passport, Choksi had fled from India on January 4 this year and took oath of allegiance in Antigua on January 15, 2018. On January 16, the bank scam was detected by its Brady House branch that approached the CBI with a complaint, after which the CBI registered a case.

The CBI has also sought the issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Choksi by the Interpol.