Mehul Choksi
Fugitive businessman From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mehul Chinubhai Choksi (born 5 May 1959) is an Indian-born fugitive[1] and businessman living in Antigua and Barbuda,[2] who is wanted by the Indian judicial authorities for alleged[3] criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption and money laundering. [4] A red corner lookout notice issued by INTERPOL was cancelled[5] due to human rights abuses by India including an attempt to kidnap him[6].
Mehul Choksi Patel | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mehul Chinubhai Choksi 5 May 1959 Bombay, India |
| Citizenship | Antigua and Barbuda (2017–) |
| Education | G. D. Modi College |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Alleged bank fraud, wanted by Indian Judicial Authorities, Owner of Gitanjali Group |
| Criminal charges |
|
| Criminal status | Found and arrested in Dominica |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Nirav Modi (nephew) |
Choksi along with his nephew Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi, brother Neeshal Modi are named in the Rs12,636 crore fraud at Punjab National Bank.[7] Prior to being accused of any crime he became a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean Island through their Citizenship by Investment Program in 2017.[8]
He has been avoided Indian justice for several years and Interpol also issued Red Corner Notice against him[9] which was later cancelled on the grounds of an alleged attempt by the Indian government to kidnap him[10]. He is the owner of Gitanjali Group, a retail jewellery company with 4,000 stores in India.[11]
An arrest warrant for Choksi has been issued in connection with the alleged Punjab National Bank fraud case.[12] He was allegedly involved in stock market manipulation in 2013.[13] In late May 2021, he went missing from Antigua and Barbuda. Choksi claims that he was kidnapped from Antigua by agents of the Indian state[14],[15] and has raised the issue with the American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations[16]. After being found and arrested in Dominica under charges of illegal entry he was then returned to Antigua and Barbuda on interim bail for medical treatment. The Antiguan Police have confirmed the kidnapping and the Dominican authorities dropped the case of illegal entry due to misrepresentation[17]
The Indian government through the use of fraudulent websites like the Assoicates Times, planted articles that were then carried by a multitude of Indian press to spread their narrative. Choksi has now raised a case in the United Kingdom agains his alleged kidnappers as well as the Indian government[18].
Early life
Mehul Choksi was born on 5 May 1959 in Bombay,[19] the son of Chinubhai Choksi.[20] He was educated at G. D. Modi College in Palanpur, Gujarat.[20] He has three children, a son and two daughters.[19] Choksi is the maternal uncle of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi.[21][22]
His younger brother Chetan Chinubhai Choksi owned and operated a diamond company named Diminco NV, based in Antwerp, which had defaulted on a US$25.8 million payment to a subsidiary of ICICI Bank.[23] In 2013, the bank litigated a lawsuit against Diminco NV, in commercial courts in Belgium and UK.[24]
Career
Choksi started his career in the gem and jewellery sector in 1975, and took over the leadership of Gitanjali Gems from his father in 1985, when it was focused on just rough and polished diamonds.[20] He owns Gitanjali Group, which includes Gitanjali Gems.[25]
Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case
Summarize
Perspective
In March 2018, a special PMLA court issued non-bailable arrest warrants (NBWs) against Choksi, and his nephews Nirav Modi and Neeshal Deepak Modi, owner of Firestar Diamonds.[26] They are suspected of colluding with two employees of Punjab National Bank (PNB), the country's second-largest state-owned lender, in an alleged $1.8 billion fraud.[25] At least six PNB staff and at least six employees of Choksi and Modi have been arrested so far.[25] India is trying to have Choksi declared as a Fugitive Economic Offender in order to seize his properties, however they have not succeeded[27]. On 6 March 2018, the CBI detained Vipul Chitalia, the vice-president of Gitanjali Group of Companies and a key aide of Choksi. Chitalia was arrested at Mumbai airport and remained in custody till March 2018.[28] A designated PMLA authority held that 41 properties worth about Rs 1,210 crore, attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the name of Mehul Choksi and his associated firms, are money laundering assets and ordered that their attachment should continue. The central probe agency provisionally attached 15 flats and 17 office premises in Mumbai, a mall in Kolkata, a four-acre farm house in Alibaug and 231 acres of land at locations like Nashik, Nagpur, Panvel in Maharashtra and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, in February 2018 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the about US$2 billion alleged fraud at a Mumbai-based branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB).[29]
On 7 January 2018, Choksi left India for medical treatment. A few days later, the PNB scam was disclosed. On 15 January, he took the oath of allegiance to Antigua and Barbuda, where he become a citizen in November 2017 under the country's Citizenship by Investment program.[30] However, Indian authorities argue that he has not renounced his Indian citizenship.[31][32][33] However India does not allow dual citizenship and on acquisition of his Antiguan citizenship, his Indian citizenship lapsed[34]. This is based on rule 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955[35]. On 17 June, his lawyer informed the Bombay High Court that he left India for medical check-up and not to avoid prosecution in the case.[36] Ever since, CBI has been trying to extradite him back to India.[37] In December 2018, Interpol published a Red Notice against Choksi at India's request.[38] This notice has since been cancelled due to India's attempt to illegally render Choksi's return to India and abuse of human rights[39].
Disappearance from Antigua and Barbuda
In April 2021,[40] Choksi made the decision to leave Antigua and Barbuda,[41] where he had been residing after fleeing India following the billion-dollar PNB scam.[42] The Indian media reported that the decision to leave Antigua was made by Choksi to orchestrate a staged kidnapping.[43] However the Antiguan authorities confirmed that Choksi was kidnapped from their nation.[44] Choksi is currently suing the men of Indian origin involved in his kidnapping as well as the government of India[45].
See also
References
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.