As a Dominican High Court is all set to hear the habeascorpus plea of Indian fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in theRs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case, the Antiguan Cabinet onThursday discussed that the diamantaire is now a problem of Dominica and if heis sent to Antigua he will become Antigua's problem.
The Antiguan Cabinet under Prime Minister Gaston Brownesaid that the cabinet prefers that Choksi is sent directly to India fromDominica.
According to Antigua News Room, a news outlet in theCaribbean Island, the Antigua Cabinet held a discussion on the Choksi matter,awaiting the decision of the High Court of Dominica.
It said that Choksi remains in Dominica and has beencharged with entering illegally. He will return to court later on Thursday toanswer the charge.
"Local law enforcement officials continue to gatherintelligence in the investigation of the circumstances of Choksi's departure fromAntigua," it said.
It noted that Choksi claims he was abducted.
"Choksi has become Dominica's problem at this time.If he finds himself in Antigua, the problem reverts to Antigua and Barbuda. Thepreference of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda is for Choksi to be repatriatedto India from Dominica," it added.
On Wednesday, Choksi pleaded not guilty to illegal entryat his court appearance and was denied bail.
Choksi appeared before the magistrate on a wheelchairwearing a blue T-shirt and black pants.
According to Dominica News Online, a news outlet in theCaribbean island, the Magistrate's court in Dominica has denied bail to Choksiafter the government prosecutor argued that he is facing 11 offenses in Indiaand extradition proceedings in Antigua and could be a flight risk.
The magistrate has adjourned the matter to June 14.
The 62-year-old is wanted by the CBI and the ED in the Rs13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. He left India in January 2018,days before the CBI registered a case.
Choksi had gone missing from Antigua on May 23 sparking amassive manhunt. He was captured in Dominica on May 26.
On Tuesday, Choksi had told an Indian news outlet that hewas abducted by Indian agents and was given a shock with a Taser gun wheneverhe resisted. He also alleged that he was beaten up by the officials.
On May 27, the first pictures of Choksi emerged online,showing several signs of bruises on his arms and a swollen eye.
"Choksi was forced to get into a vessel from Antiguaand was taken to Dominica," Choksi's counsel Agarwal had told IANS. Healso claimed that there were marks on Choksi's body, implying the use of force.
"There is something fishy and I guess it was astrategy to take him to another place so that there are chances of sending himback to India. So I don't know what forces are operating. Time will tell,"he had said.
However, Antigua Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney hasdismissed the claims of Choksi's counsel and said that they have no informationon him being forcefully removed. An eight-member team of Indian officials hasalso landed in Dominica on a private jet for the extradition of Choksi.