Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, a prime accused in Rs 13,000 PNB credit fraud case, has surrendered his Indian passport at the Indian High commission in Guyana, official sources said here on Monday.
Choksi had earlier acquired Antiguan passport in 2018 and the latest move is being seen here as a ploy to frustrate extradition efforts against him. Choksi is uncle of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, also an alleged architect of the PNB scam is said to be hiding in the UK.
Since dual citizenship is not allowed as per Indian law, Choksi surrendered his passports after acquiring foreign nationality. The Government has also revoked his passport last year. India will continue to pursue Choksi’s return with the government of Antigua through diplomatic and legal channels in order to make him face the law, sources said.
In August 2018, India gave Antigua a request for Choksi’s extradition. A team from India was also sent to Antigua to pursue the request where the fugitive has been taking refuge for over a year.
Choksi is wanted in India by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in separate cases of fraud and money laundering in connection with the PNB scam, which has been the biggest in the banking sector.
Choksi, 59, has deposited his Indian passport number Z-3396732 to the Indian High Commission in Antigua. Officials said he has also deposited the mandatory $177 for relinquishing Indian citizenship to become a citizen of Antigua and has given his new address as Jolly Harbour, Antigua.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier said that Choksi, who had been granted citizenship by Antigua Government, could not have dual citizenship. He was granted citizenship there under an “investment criterion” that allows businessmen to avail citizenship of the Carribean island in exchange for investments. Citizenship is up for sale in some of these countries and the authorities offer citizenship for nearly Rs 1.75 crore.
Choksi had fled India in January last year along with Nirav, his wife Ami Modi and brother Nishal Modi, and was granted Antiguan citizenship in November 2017 after extensive vetting and he took the oath of citizenship on January 15, 2018.