Published
Dec 13, 2018
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Interpol issues Red Corner Notice against Mehul Choksi

Published
Dec 13, 2018

Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against jeweller Mehul Choksi in response to the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI’s) continued requests. Choksi is wanted in connection to the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.


A Red Corner Notice has finally been issued against jeweller Mehul Choksi - Gitanjali Gems- Facebook


After the CBI lobbied for months to secure a RCN against Choksi, Interpol has finally issued one, as reported by the Times of India. Choksi, who is wanted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), has refused to return to India to stand trial for his accused fraud and a RCN will give Indian authorities greater powers to extradite him.

As part of the PNB fraud case, Interpol has already issued RCNs to Choksi’s niece and nephew, Purvi Modi and Neeschal Modi. The siblings are the brother and sister of Nirav Modi, who is the other main accused in the case. As Purvi Modi is a Belgian national, such a notice may give Indian authorities a better chance of extraditing her.

Mehul Choksi has so far refused to return to India to stand trial. First his lawyer cited fears for his life and a “mob lynching” as the reason and now he is citing ill health. Choksi is currently residing in Antigua after moving there and taking citizenship through the investment route before news of the scandal broke. However, authorities of Antigua and Barbuda have stated that they will cooperate with the Indian government on the matter.

The RCN against Choksi could be a breakthrough as the CBI had been requesting it since summertime. Choksi is accused of being part of a fraud totalling over Rs 13,500 crore ($2 billion) and is billed as the largest in India’s banking history.

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