Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who was detained in Dominica on Wednesday, will be repatriated back to Antigua, said the Ministry of National Security & Home Affairs of Dominica on Thursday.
Choksi was detained on the island nation for illegal entry after he fled Antigua where he had sought refuge to escape legal proceedings in India in connection with the Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank scam. A red alert has also been issued by Interpol. Dominica in touch with authorities of Antigua and possible arrangements will be made for him to be repatriated to Antigua, the statement added.
It was earlier reported that Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne had urged the Dominican Prime Minister to deport the alleged PNB scam mastermind directly to India.
Browne said: “I have spoken to PM of Dominica about detaining Choksi in Dominica and not send him back to Antigua because he enjoys constitutional protection here.” He further mentioned that Dominica has agreed to Choksi’s repatriation and Antigua will not accept him back.
“’We have asked the Dominican government to detain him for entering their country illegally, to make him persona non grata and have him deported directly to India,” the Antigua premier said.
Dominica in its recent statement confirmed that Choksi was detained by the authorities for illegal entry into the country and will be “repatriated” to Antigua.
“The Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs confirms that Mr Mehul Choksi, citizen of India and who is wanted by the Indian Authorities has been detained by law enforcement for illegal entry into Dominica. A red alert has also been issued by Interpol hearing Mr Choksi’s name.”
“The Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs is in communication with the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda to ascertain some facts including the status of his Antiguan Citizenship. Once the information is provided by the Antigua authorities, possible arrangements will be made for Mr. Mehul Choksi to be repatriated to Antigua,” the statement added.
