News Americas, ST. JOHN, Antigua, Thurs. April 20, 2023: The Antiguan and Barbuda High Court has ruled that Mehul Choksi, the fugitive businessman wanted in India for alleged bank fraud, cannot be removed from the country until his legal challenge to Antigua’s decision to revoke his citizenship is resolved.
The court’s decision comes after Choksi, who is currently in Dominica, was reportedly arrested there last year on charges of illegal entry. The Indian government has been seeking Choksi’s extradition to face charges of fraud and money laundering in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.
Choksi, who had obtained citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda in 2017, has claimed that he was abducted from Antigua by Indian agents and brought to Dominica against his will. He has also challenged the revocation of his Antiguan citizenship, which he says was done without due process.
The high court’s ruling means that Choksi will remain in Antigua and Barbuda, where he has been residing since 2018, until his legal challenge to the citizenship revocation is resolved. The court has also ordered that Choksi be provided with adequate medical care, as he has claimed to be suffering from a range of health problems.
The case has drawn international attention, with India seeking Choksi’s extradition and Antigua and Barbuda seeking to revoke his citizenship. The situation has also sparked debate about the role of citizenship by investment programmes, which allow wealthy individuals to obtain citizenship in a country in exchange for investment.
Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment programme has been criticized by some as a potential gateway for criminals and money launderers to obtain citizenship and evade justice. However, the government has defended the programme as a legitimate means of attracting investment and promoting economic development.
The case highlights the complex legal and political issues surrounding international extradition and citizenship revocation, and is likely to continue to attract attention as it progresses through the courts.
