Mehul Choksi continues to battle extradition in PNB case

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 2, 2021

Jewellery tycoon Mehul Choksi’s advocate Vijay Aggarwal has denied reports that Choksi’s Antiguan citizenship has been revoked as he fights against extradition to stand trial for alleged fraud at the Punjab National Bank. 

“My client Mehul Choksi has clarified that he is very much an Antiguan citizen,” Aggarwal told Asian News International. “His citizenship has not been revoked.”
 
Various media reports had stated that Choksi is in the process of having his Antiguan citizenship revoked. Moreover, Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne has previously stated that, once all legal avenues are exhausted by Choksi, his citizenship will be revoked and he will be extradited to India. 

Choksi is wanted by the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate for allegedly co-leading one of the largest scale frauds in India’s banking history with his jewellery business Gitanjali Gems. Choksi had fled to Antigua and taken citizenship through the investment route before news of the allegations broke in the press.  
 
Last week, a UK court ordered the extradition of Choksi’s nephew and fellow jeweller, Nirav Modi. The UK Home Secretary will now decide on whether or not to sign off on the order and Modi’s legal team will have two weeks to announce if they plan to appeal the decision.