Dominica withdraws case against fugitive Mehul Choksi over illegal entry

Last May, Mehul Choksi had gone missing from Antigua, where he had fled to in 2018 to avoid persecution in India for scamming the Punjab National Bank of thousands of crores in connivance with his nephew, Nirav Modi. A case was registered in Dominica over his illegal entry into the island country.

Authorities in Dominica have “discontinued the proceedings against Mehul Choksi” over his illegal entry into the island nation. Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi had contested the case, vehemently claiming that he was abducted from Antigua and Barbuda and taken to Dominica against his will.

Last May, Choksi went missing from Antigua, where he had fled to in 2018 to avoid persecution in India for scamming the Punjab National Bank of thousands of crores in connivance with his nephew, Nirav Modi.

He was traced by authorities to the Dominican Islands, over 900 km apart, and arrested on May 26 for allegedly entering the country “illegally” from Antigua and Barbuda.

Also Read: | Back in Antigua, Mehul Choksi says kidnapping by Indian agencies left permanent scars on soul

In a complaint to the Antigua Police, Mehul Choksi claimed he was an Antiguan citizen and was forcibly brought to Dominica, including by agents of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). His legal team identified four individuals they claim were key to this alleged abduction. However, his claims were never confirmed by the Indian authorities, who requested Dominica to hand him over.

In an interview on India Today TV, Mehul Choksi had identified the pictures of Gurmit Singh and Gurjit Bhandal, the two men he claimed were RAW agents. He also identified Barbara Jarabica, his close acquaintance from whose house he was allegedly kidnapped.

Also Read: | Dominican HC grants Mehul Choksi 'medical leave' to travel to Antigua