Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne have urged neighboring Dominica, where fugitive billionaire Mehul Choksi was apprehended, to give over the diamantaire directly to India, according to local media.
Mr. Browne informed local media on Tuesday night (local time) that he had issued “clear orders” to Dominican officials to deport Choksi to India.
“We requested that he not be returned to Antigua. He must return to India to face the criminal allegations leveled against him “Browne’s contact with journalists in Antigua and Barbuda was cited by Antigua News Room, a media organization.
Choksi would not have the same privileges in Dominica as he does in Antigua and Barbuda, where he has been residing since 2018 after obtaining citizenship in 2017 through the Citizenship by Investment program, according to Mr. Browne.
According to the source, the prime minister feels that it would be simple for Dominica to deport him immediately to India.
Choksi was apprehended after an Interpol Yellow Notice was issued against him. He had just departed Antigua and Barbuda.
Interpol issues a Yellow Notice to help locate missing people.
Choksi, who is wanted in connection with a 13,500-crore loan scam at the Punjab National Bank, was last spotted driving to dinner in Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday.
After his automobile was discovered, his crew reported him missing.
Vijay Aggarwal, the businessman’s lawyer, acknowledged that Choksi had been missing since Sunday.
After the opposition addressed the matter in the Antigua and Barbuda Parliament, rumors of Choksi’s disappearance sparked a flurry in the Caribbean island republic.
In response to the criticism, Prime Minister Browne stated that his administration was “collaborating” with the Indian government, neighbouring nations, and international law enforcement agencies to identify him.
Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused of stealing Rs 13,500 crore from the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) via forged letters of undertaking.
Nirav Modi, who is being held in a London jail, is fighting extradition to India after being denied bail on many occasions by judges.
