TIL Desk/Business/Antigua/ Absconding Punjab National Bank fraud accused Mehul Choksi, who is wanted by investigating agencies for loan fraud, has given up his Indian citizenship by surrendering his passport to the Antiguan government. The move is seen as an attempt to avoid extradition to India, where he is wanted by multiple agencies for loan fraud.
Choksi had been living in Antigua for over a year now. On December 25, 2018, Choksi had told a court that he cannot return to India to face probe for loan fraud because his ‘poor health’ will not allow him to undertake a 41-hour long journey from Antigua to India. Choksi, 59, also submitted 177 dollars with his passport to the Indian High Commission in Antigua. Officials say he has given his new address as Jolly Harbour Marks Antigua.
The foreign ministry had said that Mehul Choksi could not have dual citizenship. Antigua is hearing India’s case for the businessman’s extradition.
