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Mehul Choksi's citizenship will be revoked, will be repatriated: Antigua PM

India continues to pursue Choksi's return with the Govt of Antigua through diplomatic and legal channels. New Delhi has already sent an extradition request to the country.

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In what seems to be major positive news to get back economic offenders, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne has said that the citizenship of Mehul Choksi, involved in multicrore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam will be revoked and he will be repatriated back to India. 

Speaking to Local newspaper Antigua Observer he said, “His citizenship was processed; he got through but the reality is his citizenship will be revoked and he will be repatriated to India."

"I can assure you after he has exhausted all of his legal options, he will be extradited,” he added. 

In his statement, PM seems to be sending a message that his country is not a safe haven for economic offenders. 

He said, "It’s not a case that we are trying to provide any safe harbour for criminals, for those who are involved in financial crimes,” 

Choksi's case in Antiguan courts and the govt there has told, "Indian Government..that criminals have fundamental rights, too, and Choksi has a right to go to court and defend his position." 

Indian Govt sources on the development said, India waits for Antigua's internal process of revoking citizenship and only after that extradition process can start separately. 

Adding, New Delhi is still to hear officially from Antiguan govt about revoking of citizenship. 

India continues to pursue Choksi's return with the Govt of Antigua through diplomatic and legal channels. New Delhi has already sent an extradition request to the country. 

Mehul Choksi had surrendered his Indian passport to the High Commission in Guyana in January of  2019. 

The development comes days ahead of G20 summit in Osaka during which PM will strongly raise the issue of economic offenders being provided a safe haven. 

Due to New Delhi's concerted efforts, it has been able to make sure Nirav Modi, the other main accused in the PNB scam is languishing in a London jail. 

Last year India won extradition of Vijay Mallya in a lower court in UK. Mallya responsible Kingfisher scam and duping many state-run back has filed an appeal at a higher court in UK but doesn't seem he will be off the hook soon. 

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