Interpol issues notice against Mehul Choksi

The Interpol has issued a Red Notice against billionaire Mehul Choksi in connection with the ₹ 13,578-crore Punjab National Bank fraud,officials said on Thursday.

“The Red Notice has been issued on the Central Bureau of Investigation’s request. Although his location is now known, the notice also seeks his detention by enforcement agencies in the Interpol member countries,” said an official.

As Antigua is a member country, Indian agencies may soon request their counterparts there to execute the notice.

India had approached the Antiguan government seeking Choksi’s extradition. Documents allegedly showing his involvement in the case have also been shared through the Ministry of External Affairs.

Choksi had moved the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in Antigua requesting an end to the extradition process.

He had flown out of the country in January first week, along with his co-accused nephew Nirav Modi and his family members, days before the bank lodged a complaint with the CBI for registration of an FIR.

It later turned out that he had applied for citizenship in Antigua in May 2017 and was soon granted the same.

The agencies have also sent a request to the United Kingdom authorities seeking the Modi’s extradition. The assets of the accused persons in India and abroad have been attached by the Enforcement Directorate.