PNB Fraud: With passport, Mehul Choksi chokes repatriation plan

Fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi has surrendered his Indian passport to the Indian High Commission in Antigua, apparently in a bid to avoid deportation. The probe agencies were working upon getting him deported, but in light of this development, he can now only be extradited.

Choksi, 59, has also submitted $177 with his passport to the Indian High Commission in Antigua. The move comes after the foreign ministry had said that the jeweller could not have dual citizenship. Meanwhile, Antigua is hearing India's case for the businessman's extradition.

"Whenever an Indian citizen acquires foreign nationality, he is expected to surrender his Indian passport. India continues to pursue Choksi's return with the government of Antigua," sources said.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Those who have fled will be brought back and no one will be spared."