Mehul Choksi Back In Antigua, Blames Indian Agencies For ‘Kidnapping’ Him

Pic courtesy: Business Today

New Delhi: After being jailed for 51 days in neighbouring Dominica, fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi returned to Antigua on Thursday and said that he was “permanently scarred” while blaming the Indian law enforcement agencies for trying to kidnap him.

“I’m back home but this torture has left permanent scars on my psychology and physically rather than permanent scars on my soul. I couldn’t imagine after closing all my business and seizing all my properties, kidnapping attempt would be made on me by Indian agencies,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

According to reports earlier in the day, the diamantaire reached Antigua and Barbuda, where he had been living since fleeing India in 2018. He is wanted for ₹ 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case in India.

Choksi was behind the bars for the last 51 days in Dominica for entering the country illegally.

Choksi was granted bail on medical grounds by the Dominica High Court. He was allowed to travel back to Antigua for medical help from an Antigua-based neurologist. He furnished the bail of 10,000 East Caribbean Dollars or roughly ₹ 2.7 lakh in order to fly back to Antigua in a chartered flight wearing a shirt and shorts, reported Antigua News Room on Thursday.

Choksi had attached his medical reports, including a CT scan while seeking bail. The reports showed “mildly worsening hematoma”. He was recommended for an urgent review of his medical condition by a neurologist and a neurosurgical consultant.

“The services are not currently available on the island (Dominica). All courtesies extended to him would be greatly appreciated,” according to the CT scan report dated June 29 signed by Doctors Yerandy Galle Gutierrez and Rene Gilbert Veranes of Princess Margaret Hospital of Dominica.

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