Absconding Punjab National Bank fraud accused Mehul Choksi surrendered his Indian citizenship on Monday, 21 January, by handing over his passport to the Antiguan government where he had been taking refuge for more than a year.
In August last year, India gave Antigua a request for Choksi's extradition. A team from India was also sent to Antigua to pursue the request.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government has passed the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill and those who have fled the country will be brought back sooner or later, ANI quoted him as saying on Monday, 21 January. “It might take some time, but they all will be brought back.”
Choksi, one of the alleged masterminds of the USD 2 billion scam in state-run Punjab National Bank and uncle of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, took citizenship of Antigua last year.
On 25 December, Choksi had told a court that he cannot come to India for investigation as he cannot bear a 41-hour long journey from Antigua owing to his “poor health.” However, in his written reply, Choksi had informed the court that he is willing to join the investigation through video conferencing.
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