Mehul Choksi Accuses India of Kidnapping Amid PNB Fraud Case

Choksi's Allegations Against India

On Monday, fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi claimed that India orchestrated his abduction from Antigua and Barbuda in 2021, aiming to extradite him for his involvement in the Punjab National Bank fraud case, which amounts to Rs 13,000 crore.

Choksi, who was apprehended in Belgium in April, is a key figure in this case alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi.

He fled India for Antigua and Barbuda in January 2018, just weeks before the fraud was uncovered, and subsequently acquired citizenship in the Caribbean nation. Currently, he resides in Belgium with a residency permit.

In July 2021, Choksi accused Indian authorities of attempting to abduct him. He went missing on May 23 that year from Antigua and Barbuda and was captured in Dominica the following day.

During a hearing at London's High Court, Choksi's legal team argued that only India had both the motive and means to carry out the alleged abduction.

In his civil lawsuit, Choksi alleged that New Delhi employed five individuals from the UK to abduct and torture him while forcibly transporting him to Dominica. This claim was reported by a media outlet.

According to Choksi, a Dominican police officer acted as a whistleblower, revealing his location on the island and preventing the alleged kidnapping.

India's legal representative, Harish Salve, countered that there is no evidence linking India to the purported events.

Indian officials have contested the UK court's jurisdiction over the case, citing 'state immunity' and have requested that expert testimony on Indian law and the Constitution be considered.

The Punjab National Bank fraud was exposed in February 2018 when the bank reported to the stock exchange that it had discovered fraudulent transactions totaling Rs 11,380 crore at a branch in South Mumbai.

Several officials from the public sector bank were allegedly involved in issuing fraudulent Letters of Undertaking to Modi's companies, leading to a loss of Rs 6,097.6 crore for the bank.

Choksi also defaulted on a loan from ICICI Bank.

After his detention in Dominica, he faced charges for illegally entering the country. The government of Dominica labeled him a prohibited immigrant. However, Choksi contended that he was abducted and taken to Dominica for questioning by an Indian politician.

Following 51 days in custody, Choksi was granted bail by the Dominica High Court on medical grounds. In May 2022, the charges of illegal entry against him were dismissed.

Choksi maintains that he cannot be classified as a fugitive in India since he left the country prior to the filing of a first information report against him.