On the 2nd of June, the Dominica Court is scheduled to hear a case filed by the Indian Government regarding the extradition of the Indian jeweller Mehul Choksi. Indian businessman Mehul Choksi is a suspected individual in money laundering and fraudulent transactions, leading to a loss of $2 billions (Rs.13, 500 crores) to the Punjab National Bank (PNB.)
A team of 8 Indian officials landed in Dominica on the night of the 31st of May. Lennox Linton, the leader of the opposition in Dominica, said, “Some officials from India arrived in Dominica via business jet on Friday of last week and yesterday some more officials arrived. They’ll be helping with the case in the court tomorrow (the 2nd of June.)”
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court would conduct a hearing and would decide on whether fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi would be deported to India.
According to a source close to the development, “India has to present a tough case against Mehul Choksi in the Dominica Court. To produce relevant papers and evidence in court as per the practices of the Indian agencies.”
Meanwhile, Mehul Choksi opposed the proceeding and said, he was abducted from Antigua and was taken to Dominica forcefully. The statement of Mehul Choksi was confirmed by his Dominica based lawyer Wayne Marsh.
Mr. Wayne Marsh said, “He (Choksi) reported to me that he was abducted at Jolly Harbour in Antigua and brought to Dominica by persons whom he believed to be Indian and Antiguan police on a vessel he described to be about 60-70 feet in length.”
The alleged abduction of Mehul Choksi created a turmoil in both Antigua and the Caribbean island. The Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne denied his Government’s involvement in the fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s disappearance from his country. On the other hand, the Dominica Government claimed the kidnapping to be a conspiracy of the 62 year old jewellery businessman and the Antigua Government.
The discussion over Choksi’s legal proceedings is also being held. Mr. Choksi’s lawyer argued that he is entitled to a legal representation in Antigua and he is an Antigua citizen not an Indian citizen. Mr. Marsh also opposed his extradition to India. Mehul Choksi and his family have been citizens of Antigua since 2018.
The hearing regarding extradition to India of Mehul Choksi is scheduled at 9:00 A.M, (Eastern Time) which is 6:30 P.M., Indian Standard Time, on Wednesday, the 2nd of June.
