Choksi is now using the CBI's laxity as an excuse not to appear before it. Nirav has already refused to cooperate with investigations.
The CBI realised it needed to question Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, 19 days after they were booked and three days after their passports were suspended. Both are accused in the PNB fraud case of Rs 12,967.84 crore.
Choksi is now using the CBI's laxity as an excuse not to appear before it. Nirav has already refused to cooperate with investigations.
In a letter to the CBI, Choksi has said it is impossible for him to return to India since his passport has been suspended. He said the suspension of his passport is violation of his rights. He also said his passport was suspended citing that he is a "threat to the security" of India. "It is impossible for me to travel back to India. I wish to point out that the Regional Passport Office Mumbai has not given me any explanation as to why my passport has been suspended.
"Neither have they told me how I am a security threat to India," Choksi said. He further said that he is worried about his health and fears that he will not get proper treatment if he gets arrested.
The CBI, however, clarified that it had filed the first FIR on January 31 and a second one on February 15. Frequent summons were issued to both. Asked why summons were not issued before the passports were suspended, the CBI said that Choksi is using diversionary tactics and playing the victim card.
The agency said, "It is legally binding on an accused to join the probe. We have asked them to go to nearest Indian High Commission or Embassy. There, every possible help will be provided to get back to India."
The agency said that it will be replying to both Choksi and Nirav, asking them to join the probe.
Meanwhile, CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma submitted a status report on Nirav and Choksi to the Prime Minister's Office, as the agency carried out raids at eight locations in Mumbai and Chennai on Thursday.
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