Insta
Mehul Choksi. (Priyanka Parashar/Mint via Getty Images)
Indian authorities have handed over a formal extradition request to Antigua and Barbuda for the extradition of PNB-scam accused Mehul Choksi, ANI has reported.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the Rs 13,000 crore scandal, had sent the request to the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday (3 August) and has been sent over to Antigua even though India does not have an extradition treaty in place with the Carribean nation.
It was recently revealed that Choksi - who along with his nephew Nirav Modi had fraudulently acquired letters of undertaking from Indian banks, had acquired Antigua’s citizenship through the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). Antiguan authorities have claimed that they received no adverse reports about Choksi from India, after which they granted him the citizenship.
The Mumbai police is reportedly probing how a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) was issued by the Mumbai Regional Passport Office (RPO) to Choksi. The CIU had held a press release saying that they had received Choksi’s citizenship request with a PCC and other documents in May last year.
Choksi, the owner of Gitanjali Jewellery, is the prime suspect in the Punjab National Bank scam with the Enforcement Directorate alleging that he is the mastermind.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest