PNB scam: Home minister Rajnath Singh says Mehul Choksi will be brought back to India

• Lekshmi Sajeev
• 22 January, 2019

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By: Lekshmi Sajeev

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (21) affirmed that absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi will not be spared and will be brought back to India to face the law.

Singh said this in a response to a question about Choksi surrendering his Indian passport at the High Commission at Guyana.

The diamond jeweller had taken citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda after his name cropped up in the USD two billion fraud at a Mumbai-based branch of the PNB along with his nephew and businessman Nirav Modi.

“We have brought the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act and there is a process under that law (to check fraud cases). Choksi will be brought to India for sure. No one will be spared. Action will be taken against everyone,” the minister said.

Government sources said India continues to pursue Choksi’s return with the government of Antigua through diplomatic and legal channels.

In August last year, India gave Antigua a request for Choksi’s extradition, and also a team from India was also sent to Antigua to pursue the request.

Both Choksi and Nirav Modi are being probed by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate.