#PNBScam: Interpol to soon decide on Red Corner Notice against Mehul Choksi

New Delhi, September 7: The international probe agency Interpol is all set to give its decision on issuing Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Mehul Choksi in October this year. Notably, fugitive jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi are involved in Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.

 

The decision on Red Corner Notice will be taken by the Interpol committee in Lyon, France, in the month of October this year. Meanwhile, Mehul Choksi has appealed to the Interpol against Indian request of issuing Red Corner Notice. On the other side, Indian authorities have also opposed Mehul Choksi’s claim.

Law enforcement agencies of India including Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI have sought Red Corner Notice from the Interpol against Mehul Choksi due to his involvement in Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.

Earlier on September 1, fastening the process of securing Mehul Choksi’s custody, India submitted a second extradition request to Antigua and Barbuda government. The move came nearly a month after authorities of Antigua confirmed about the presence of fugitive Punjab National Bank scam accused Mehul Choksi.

Taking a cognizance in the media reports, CBI asked Antigua and Barbuda authorities for confirmation on whereabouts of Mehul Choksi. In reply, authorities of Antigua and Barbuda confirmed about the presence of fugitive Punjab National Bank scam accused Mehul Choksi.

However, 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 had also conveyed to the Antiguan authorities to prevent Choksi's movement from land, air or sea.

Interestingly, the development comes nearly eight 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.