Anextradition hearing in fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s case is underway inDominica court. The diamond merchant is wanted by the Indian government in a PNB loan fraud case of overRs 14,000 crore.
MehulChoksi, who is currently hospitalized after being injured, expectedly hasjoined the trial via video conference. According to Choksi’s lawyer, thediamantaire had sustained injuries during the alleged abduction from Antigua.
MehulChoksi is also said to have obtained the Citizenship of Antigua in 2017however, the Indian government continues to state that Choksi's intentions weredubious and he still holds Indian citizenship.
Throughthis extradition, the Centre govt pitches for Choksi early deportation, as permedia reports.
Forthe fair extradition process, the Centre has sent an eight-member multi-agencyteam, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Enforcement Directorate toDominica. Along with them, High Commissioner from Trinidad & Tobago havealso reached Dominica to assist officials.
However, on the otherside, Mehul Choksi's team has argued that the new Citizenship rules cannotsupersede the Constitution of India.
“Article 9 of theConstitution states that any Indian applying for foreign citizenship on anygrounds will lose Indian citizenship by default. So India's plea will not holdany merit," said a lawyer representing Choksi.