Latest developments in PNB fraud accused Mehul Choksi’s extradition to India suggest that the lawyers of Mehul Choksi have now reached the Dominican High Court appealing that Mehul Choksi is flown from Dominica. The Indian fugitive’s lawyers have cited his medical condition as the reason for flying him out of Dominica, reported Times Now.
According to Mehul Choksi’s lawyers, his medical condition has been serious for quite some time. They have appealed to the Dominican Court to move Choksi either back to Antigua or to the United States, where he could be treated.
It is worth adding that Choksi’s second bail application has been adjourned to 23rd July. Choksi also filed a petition in Dominica High Court seeking judicial review alleging abuse of process in illegal entry proceedings. The magistrate was informed about it and she has adjourned the case to August 27.
Choksi’s lawyer Vijay Agarwal has informed that while bail matter adjourned has been adjourned to July 23, Choksi’s petition for judicial review has been adjourned to 27th August.
The fugitive businessman who has been hiding in Antigua after the PNB scam came to light, moved an application for preponing of the bail hearing on grounds of neurological issues, treatment of which is not available in Dominica. ‘On grounds of neurological issues, treatment of which is not available in Dominica, Mehul Choksi moved an application for preponing of the bail hearing which has been allowed by the court and the date now is 12 July,’ said his lawyer Vijay Aggarwal.
Alleging that his arrest in Dominica for illegal entry was “dictated” by representatives of the Indian government, Choksi had filed a case in the high court of Roseau earlier this week, seeking to quash the proceedings against him, local media there reported.
The case was filed against the immigration minister of the Caribbean nation, its police chief and the investigating officer of the case.
Absconding diamantaire Choksi, who went missing from Antigua and Barbuda mysteriously on May 23 and was arrested in neighbouring Dominica for illegal entry on May 26. He was declared a prohibited immigrant by the Ministry of Immigration in Dominica.
The 62-year diamantaire wanted in connection with a Rs 13,500-crore scam in the Punjab National Bank has approached the Dominica High Court, alleging that the decision of Lincoln Corbette, Acting Chief of Police in Roseau, and investigating officer Sergeant Alleyne to charge him for illegal entry was “not a product of their independent judgement”.
“…they allowed themselves to be dictated by third parties, representatives of the Indian government…,” Choksi alleged. Seeking to quash the proceedings against him, Choksi pleaded before the high court that the decision to charge him for illegal entry was violative of law and accordingly, null and void, Caribbean media outlet Nature Isle News reported.
The fugitive said he is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, where he has challenged a move to extradite him. He claimed that he was kidnapped from Antigua and Barbuda and forcibly brought to Dominica by Indian men. Choski further claimed that he had narrated his ordeal to the Dominican police but they did not launch any investigation into his allegations.
“The arrest and prosecution of the applicant is an abuse of the process of the court because the police who charged the applicant participated in and/or colluded with the applicant’s kidnappers in and/or condoned the forced entry of the applicant into Dominica,” he said.
Choksi’s lawyers on Tuesday told the magistrate court where his case of illegal entry is going on that they have filed the plea in the high court.
Choksi has sought a “permanent order staying the criminal charge” brought against him for illegal entry. He has also sought a court order stating that the minister of immigration and national security declaring him an illegal immigrant was a breach of the principles of natural justice, and is accordingly null and void, and of no effect, the website reported
