Antiguan authorities confirm presence of fugitive PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi; CBI to soon initiate extradition process

New Delhi, August 3: The authorities of Antigua on Thursday confirmed about the presence of fugitive Punjab National Bank scam accused Mehul Choksi. Notably, this comes days after the Indian government alerted the Antigua and Barbuda government and asked the country's authorities to arrest Mehul Choksi.

 

The confirmation from Antiguan authorities was received by the CBI after they sought information on whereabouts of Nirav Choksi after media reports claimed that he is in Antigua. In its official communication, the CBI had sent a diffusion notice issued by Interpol against Mehul Choksi to Antiguan authorities last week and sought details of his movement and his present location. According to the officials, the CBI will soon move an extradition request through the External Affairs Ministry.

On July 29 this year, as soon as reports in the media about Choksi's presence in Antigua were flashed the government officials alerted the Antigua and Barbuda government in writing and verbally and asked the country's authorities to arrest him. The government officials have also conveyed to the Antiguan authorities to prevent Choksi's movement from land, air or sea.

The development comes nearly six months after the biggest fraudulent case hit Mumbai in the month of February where Punjab National Bank reported that it has detected fraudulent and unauthorized transactions in one of its branches in Mumbai. The cumulative fraud amounts stand to Rs 13000 crores. Both Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi are being investigated by Enforcement Directorate and CBI in the Punjab National bank mega scam.

However, Nirav Modi and his brother Nishal Modi left the country on 1st of January this year. Nirav Modi's wife, an American citizen, left India on 6 January while Mehul Choksi left the country on 4 January. CBI received a complaint from PNB on 29th Jan 2018 and registered the case on 31st January. Choksi had taken the citizenship of Antigua in November 2017, and oath of allegiance on January 15 this year.