In a relief to fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi,who is wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraudcase, the Dominica High Court on Monday granted him bail on medical grounds totravel to Antigua and Barbuda.
Choksi's lawyer Vijay Agarwal said, "Yes, Choksi hasbeen granted bail on medical grounds."
The Dominican High Court in its order stated that thefugitive diamantaire Choksi has been granted interim bail “strictly for medicaltreatment in Antigua.”
Choksi, who had gone missing on May 23 from Antigua andBarbuda, had sparked a massive manhunt. He was later captured in Dominica andis facing charges of entering the country illegally.
Choksi had filed two petitions in the high court ofDominica, one seeking to quash the proceedings against him alleging that hisarrest was "dictated" by representatives of the Indian government.While the other is an application for leave to file for judicial review.
As of now, the legal proceedings against him in theillegal entry case and judicial review application stand adjourned for the timeChoksi is certified fit for travel.
The case was filed against the Immigration Minister ofthe Caribbean nation, its police chief, and the investigating officer of thecase.
Choksi pleaded that the decision to charge him forillegal entry violated the law and, accordingly, was null and void.
He has been kept at the Dominica China FriendshipHospital while awaiting an outcome in his illegal entry case.
Choksi's lawyer has alleged that their client waskidnapped and forcibly taken to Dominica.
He is wanted in India by the Central Bureau of Investigationand the Enforcement Directorate.