Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
India

Fugitive Mehul Choksi Surrenders Indian Passport In Antigua To 'Avoid Extradition'

IANS, 21 Jan, 2019 09:16 PM

    Posing fresh complications for India, absconder diamantaire Mehul Choksi, one of the prime accused in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, has surrendered his Indian citizenship in favour of Antigua & Barbuda Isles in the West Indies, official sources said on Monday.


    Choksi acquired his new citizenship last year and then subsequently deposited his cancelled Indian Passport No. Z3396732 and a mandatory fee of $177 for the other formalities.


    This move by Choksi is being seen as an attempt to "avoid his extradition" to India. Antigua and India do not have an extradition treaty.


    India had earlier handed over a request to Antigua for extradition of Mehul Choksi who is charged in connection with India's biggest banking fraud, and now living in the Caribbean nation after taking its citizenship.


    Official sources said a team comprising officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and other agencies was sent to Antigua a couple of days ago to request the Antiguan authorities to extradite Choksi, wanted in India in the US$ 2 billion Punjab National bank scam.

    As per reports, Antiguan authorities cleared Choksi's citizenship in November 2017 after India did not give any adverse report to stall his application for it.


    Choksi had fled India on January 4 this year and took oath of allegiance in Antigua on January 15. His citizenship was cleared in November 2017.


    Choksi's application for citizenship in Antigua in May 2017 was accompanied with clearance from the local police as required by norms, Antiguan newspaper the Daily Observer reported, citing a statement from the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda (CIU).

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Mass Conversions Need To Be Checked Across Country: Rajnath Singh

    Rajnath Singh said as far as the NDA government is concerned there will not be discrimination against anybody.

    Mass Conversions Need To Be Checked Across Country: Rajnath Singh

    No Hidden Agenda In Entry Of Women To Sabarimala: Kerala Tells Court

    It is also practically not possible to ascertain the antecedents and genuineness of all the devotees visiting Sabarimala, the government said.  

    No Hidden Agenda In Entry Of Women To Sabarimala: Kerala Tells Court

    Stopped Loot Of Public Money, Now Conspiracy To Drive Me Out: PM Modi

    Stopped Loot Of Public Money, Now Conspiracy To Drive Me Out: PM Modi
    "We have put an end to the loot of public money. We stopped siphoning of Rs. 90,000 crores," PM Modi said in Odisha.

    Stopped Loot Of Public Money, Now Conspiracy To Drive Me Out: PM Modi

    Who Should Be India's PM, Decisive Or Maverick Leader, Asks Jaitley

    To ensure that this happens as projected, it is a pre-requisite that India has a decisive leadership, consistency in policy direction and a strong and stable government.

    Who Should Be India's PM, Decisive Or Maverick Leader, Asks Jaitley

    Kanakadurga Attacked By Mother-In-Law When She Reached Home After Sabarimala Visit

    Kanakadurga, who had been in hiding for the last two weeks after the darshan of Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala shrine due to security reasons, reached home in Perinthalmanna on Tuesday morning.

    Kanakadurga Attacked By Mother-In-Law When She Reached Home After Sabarimala Visit

    Full Of Lies, Written To Make Money: Former NSA MK Narayanan On 'The Accidental PM'

    Full Of Lies, Written To Make Money: Former NSA MK Narayanan On 'The Accidental PM'
    Sanjay Baru had written the book during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections to make money, alleged the National Security Adviser (NSA), believed to be close to the former Prime Minister.  

    Full Of Lies, Written To Make Money: Former NSA MK Narayanan On 'The Accidental PM'