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- Published: May 27, 2021 10:10
New Delhi: Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said that fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who has been found in Dominica, will be repatriated to India and Indian authorities are in touch with those in Dominica.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Browne said Dominica has agreed Choksi’s repatriation and Antigua will not accept him back. Browne said he has requested PM Skerrit and law enforcement in Dominica to not return Choksi to Antigua where he has legal and constitutional protection as citizen.
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Speaking exclusively and extensively to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, PM Browne said, “Assuming no legal impediments, I believe within the next 48 hours Choksi could be perhaps in a private jet, you know, repatriated to India.”
“He was found in Dominica. He may have entered the island illegally, possibly by boats. Dominican government is cooperating with Antiguan and Indian governments. We have requested Dominican law enforcement agencies to not return him to Antigua where he has legal and constitutional rights as a citizen. We specifically requested them to have Indian law enforcement agencies to make necessary arrangements to have him returned directly to India,” Browne told ANI.
#WATCH | “…Dominica has agreed (for Mehul Choksi’s repatriation). We will not accept him back… Dominican govt & law enforcement are cooperating, and we have informed Indian government to have him repatriated to India,” says Antiguan PM Gaston Browne, in an interview with ANI pic.twitter.com/9VEfZfqic5
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2021
Choksi has been involved in a legal battle to stop his extradition to India to answer fraud charges against him. Police are yet to issue a statement in the matter, reported Antigua media.
Mehul Choksi was the owner of Geetanjali jewellers and is involved in an economic fraud case of over Rs 13,000 crore and siphoning off the money illegally. CBI has filed several cases against him and investigations are underway, including his extradition request.