Setback For India: Fugitive Mehul Choksi Removed From Interpol’s Wanted List

Pic courtesy: Business Today

New Delhi: In a setback for the Indian government, Interpol has withdrawn the Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued against diamantaire Mehul Choksi.

The fugitive businessman, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, is thus no longer a wanted man for the Interpol.

Withdrawal of RCN notice, which was issued by Interpol in December 2018, also means Choksi can travel freely across the globe. He can leave Antigua & Barbuda without being arrested by the Interpol.

Choksi had become a citizen of Antigua & Barbuda after reportedly paying $100,000 under the Citizenship by Investment programme of the Caribbean nation.

Choksi had approached Interpol last year for a review of his RCN, citing his alleged abduction from Antigua & Barbuda.

His petition in Antigua High Court, making Indian government as respondent, stated that two Indian R&AW agents (presumably) abducted him from Antigua and forcibly took him to Dominica Republic in June 2021.

Interpol has mentioned the alleged abduction while taking off Choksi’s name from RCN list.

“There is credible possibility that the applicant’s abduction from Antigua to Dominica had the ultimate purpose of deporting the applicant to India and he may face the risk of not receiving a fair trial or treatment if returned to India,” Interpol stated in its order.

Even as Choksi got a huge relief, his nephew and diamond merchant Nirav Modi continues to be on Interpol’s wanted list. Nirav, who is currently in a UK prison for unpaid legal costs of over 150,000 pounds, is also wanted by India in connection with the PNB fraud case.