The Antigua and Barbuda High Court ruled Friday that Mehul Choksi, the diamantaire wanted in India for Rs 13000 crore fraud, cannot be extradited.
In his civil lawsuit against the defendants, the Attorney General of Antigua and the Chief of Police, Mehul Choksi claims that he was subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Choksi wants a speedy and thorough investigation of his forced removal from Antigua & Barbuda on May 23, 2021.
Mehul Choksi cannot be removed from Antigua and Barbuda without a High Court ruling following an interparty hearing and all procedural processes, including appeals.
“Further or in the alternative, a Declaration that the first Defendant is to institute an impartial, judicial enquiry as to the circumstances of the Claimant (Mehul Choksi)’s unlawful abduction and transportation from Antigua and Barbuda on or around 23 May 2021. “A Declaration that the second Defendant has a duty to confirm to the Dominican police that the evidence supports that the Claimant was forcibly removed from the jurisdiction and taken to Dominica against his will,” the court decision stated.
“An Order that the Claimant may not be made to leave and/or be removed from Antigua and Barbuda without an order from the High Court following an inter partes hearing and subject to the Claimant exhausting all appeals or other legal redress afforded by law. “An Order that the second Defendant releases the statement taken by its officers from the Claimant on 15 August 2021,” it said.
The defendants maintained that there is no substantive complaint that discloses a cause of action for failing to conduct a “effective” and “rapid” inquiry within the authority under section 7 of the Constitution.
Nature Isle News said that the defendant called the suit frivolous, vexatious, and an abuse of the court’s process.
Mehul Choksi’s affidavits describe collusion, forced abduction, deportation from Antigua and Barbuda, abuse, and violence. Nature Isle News said that a boat forced the Claimant to Dominica.
The claimant requested to confer with his attorneys when the men contacted him, but they refused.
The 63-year-old diamantaire is wanted in India for a Rs 13,000-crore PNB scam.
The CBI stated that it will repatriate fugitives and offenders to India for criminal punishment.
“Systematic procedures have been taken in close conjunction with international law enforcement authorities to geo-locate and repatriate wanted criminals and economic offenders. “Over 30 wanted criminals have returned to India in 15 months,” it stated.
On February 15, 2018, CBI charged Mehul Choksi and others with cheating Punjab National Bank.
In 2022, CBI filed five additional criminal complaints against Mehul Choksi and others for bank and financial institution fraud.
Mehul Chinubhai Choksi requested the non-publication of a Red Notice in 2018.
“CCF is a distinct organization within INTERPOL that is mostly staffed by elected attorneys from different nations. CCF and CBI reviewed his request. “CCF dismissed representation of Mehul Chinubhai Choksi and INTERPOL published a Red Notice,” CBI claimed.
The CBI and ED requested INTERPOL to publish a Red notice against Mehul Chinubhai Choksi in December 2018.
