India sent an all-clear to Antigua on Mehul Choksi

Indian agencies told Antigua there was no adverse information against Mehul Choksi when the Caribbean country did its background check on the fugitive billionaire before granting him citizenship in 2017, reports said on Friday.

"The said police clearance certificate from the Government of India certified that there was no adverse information against Mr. Mehul Chinubbhai Choksi which would render him ineligible for grant of travel facilities including visa for Antigua and Barbuda," reports said. The government responded by saying Choksi, who has taken refuge in Antigua after being wanted in a multi-crore PNB fraud, had a clear police record based on which passport authorities issued him a Police Clearance Certificate as per existing rules.

The Ministry of External Affairs said: "As the police verification record of Mehul Choksi was clear in the system at the time of the issuance of PCC, the process followed by passport office, Mumbai, was as per extant instructions." It has now sent an extradition request for Choksi to Antigua.

As per rules: MEA 

MEA said Choksi had a clear police record based on which passport authorities issued him a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) as per existing rules. He was clear in the system at the time of the issuance of PCC.