Mehul Choksi 'fugitive and absconder': Enforcement Directorate

Enforcement Directorate told Bombay High Court that Diamond trader Mehul Choksi, accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank scam, is a fugitive and absconder.

The agency, in its affidavit, sought dismissal of two petitions filed by Choksi one against a plea for him to be declared a fugitive economic offender and the second to permit him to cross-examine those persons on whose statements the ED is relying on to declare Choksi a fugitive economic offender.

The ED, in its affidavit submitted before a division bench headed by Justice IA Mahanty, said Choksi is accused of siphoning and laundering money to the tune of 6,097 crore rupees in the PNB scam. It said that despite having issued summons directing him to appear before the



agency, Choksi has said he does not intend to cooperate with the probe.

It added that Choksi has already taken citizenship of Antigua which clearly shows that he has no intention of returning to India to cooperate with the probe. The agency further said that under the Fugitive Economic Offender Act, if the fugitive appears in person before the court then the proceedings can be terminated.

However, it said, if the person fails to do so the court can declare him a fugitive economic offender and can confiscate his properties. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are wanted by the ED and the CBI for allegedly defrauding the PNB to the tune of 13,400 crore rupees, in collusion with a few of its employees.