Choksi is one of the alleged masterminds of the USD 2 billion scam in state-run Punjab National Bank and uncle of fugitive diamond mogul Nirav Modi.
Modi government had formally handed over Mehul Choksi's extradition request to Antiguan authorities, news agency ANI reported. Earlier it was reported that 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.
Choksi's application for citizenship in Antigua in May 2017 was accompanied with clearance from the local police as required by norm, Antiguan paper the Daily Observer reported, citing a statement from the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda.
Choksi is one of the alleged masterminds of the USD 2 billion scam in state-run Punjab National Bank and uncle of fugitive diamond mogul Nirav Modi.
"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.
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 "PNB scam: India hands over Mehul Choksi's extradition request to Antiguan authorities")
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