Government: will not stop pushing for Mehul Choksi extradition

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Jan 22, 2019

The government has assured that it will not stop pressing for the extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi following developments that saw him give up his Indian citizenship while residing in Antigua.

“Choksi has surrendered his Indian passport to the High Commission in Guyana,” government sources told ET Bureau. “Whenever an Indian citizen acquires a foreign nationality, he is expected to surrender his Indian passport. India continues to pursue Choksi’s return with Antigua through diplomatic and legal channels.”

The extradition of the fugitive jewellery tycoon Choksi looked promising after Antiguan authorities agreed to work with Indian authorities to secure his extradition following Interpol’s issuing of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him.

However, Choksi’s decision to give up Indian citizenship as a move to avoid extradition may put a spanner in the works because India does not have an extradition treaty with Antigua and Barbuda.

Although this move may delay proceedings, sources said that the government is asking Antiguan authorities to revoke Choksi’s citizenship, which would allow them to restore his Indian citizenship and would speed up the possible extradition process. The fact that both India and Antigua and Barbuda are members of the Commonwealth of Nations also means that there is scope for extradition in lieu of a treaty. 

Choksi has cited health reasons for not returning to India but has offered to take part in the case remotely. Choksi is accused along with his nephew and fellow jeweller Nirav Modi in a fraud case at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) that has been heralded as the biggest fraud in India’s banking history.