March 22, 2023
5 mins read

CBI seeks to restore Interpol red notice on Choksi

A case was registered against Mehul Choksi and others on February 15, 2018 for defrauding Punjab National Bank….reports Asian Lite News

The Interpol had earlier on several occasions dismissed the plea of fugitive criminal diamantaire Mehul Choksi who is wanted in Rs 13,000 crore fraud case in Punjab National Bank, the CBI said in a statement.

“Facing possibilities of imminent extradition from Antigua and Barbuda, Choksi again with a view to create diversions from the ongoing process and derail the ongoing extradition proceedings, with false claims, concocted dramatic stories and imaginary narratives, approached various international forums and also approached Commission for Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) in July 2022 to revise its earlier decision of 2020. CCF consulted the CBI and the ED on the matter and the factual situation on the narrative of Choksi being wholly unsubstantiated and without an iota of evidence were put forth to the CCF. It was clarified that Choksi had been making all possible attempts to derail ongoing extradition proceedings in Antigua and Barbuda, to evade the process of law in India,” the agency stated.

“However, based on mere imaginary conjunctures and unproven surmises, a five member CCF chamber has taken a decision on deletion of Red Notice, communicated in November, 2022. Thereafter, CBI has taken up with CCF the serious shortcomings, procedural violations, overreach of mandate and mistakes committed by CCF in the manner of reaching this unfounded and perfunctory decision,” said a senior CBI official.

A case was registered against Mehul Choksi and others on February 15, 2018 for defrauding Punjab National Bank. The CBI has already filed two charge sheets in the case against Choksi and others under sections 120-B read with 409, 420, 477A, 201 of IPC and sections 7 & 13(2) read with 13(1)(c)&(d) of PC Act.

In 2022, the CBI registered five more criminal cases against Choksi and others for defrauding banks and financial institutions.

“The CBI as National Central Bureau for Interpol had issued a diffusion to locate Choksi in February 2018. The movements of the criminal were tracked by the CBI in close direct coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies and he was geo-located to Antigua and Barbuda. Extradition request against Choksi was sent through diplomatic channels to competent authorities of Antigua and Barbuda in August 2018,” the official said.

In 2018, Choksi approached CCF making a request for non-publication of Red Notice. CCF is a separate body within Interpol that is not under the control of Interpol Secretariat and is mainly staffed by elected lawyers from different countries. CCF had studied his request and consulted the CBI. CCF dismissed representation of Choksi and Interpol published a Red Notice.

Interpol published a Red Notice against Choksi in December 2018 on request of the CBI and the ED. This was subsequent to geo-location by the CBI of wanted criminal and subsequent to initiation of extradition request. The purpose of a Red Notice issued by Interpol was to seek location of a wanted person and to seek their detention, arrest or restriction of movement for purpose of extradition, surrender or similar action.

“It may be noted that Choksi was already located prior to publication of Interpol Red Notice and steps also initiated for his extradition. Although the primary purpose of Red Notice was already achieved, the same was retained as a precautionary measure.

As the extradition proceedings against Choksi were proceeding in Antigua and Barbuda, Choksi had been approaching various international forums with fully concocted and imaginary narratives to create diversions. In 2019, Choksi again approached CCF seeking removal of Red Notice. CCF studied his request, consulted the CBI and based on inputs, again in 2020, dismissed his plea,” the CBI said.

Later on, when he again reached the Interpol and concerned authorities, a decision was taken in his favour.

Thereafter, CBI took up with CCF the serious shortcomings, procedural violations, overreach of mandate and mistakes committed by CCF in the manner of reaching this unfounded and perfunctory decision. CBI continues to exercise available remedial and appellate options within Interpol for rectification of this faulty decision and for restoration of Red Notice. CBI pointed out that even Antigua authorities consider there is sufficient evidence to substantiate that the applicant concealed material facts or made false representation when he applied for his Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, a fact which reflects on previous conduct of this criminal.

CCF has subsequently clarified to CBI that its decision in no manner has any determination on any guilt or innocence of Mehul Chinubhai Choksi for crimes he remains charged in India. CCF has reiterated that it has not established factual certainties and there is no factual finding in their decision that Choksi will not have fair trial. Based on new information and serious errors in the decision, CBI is taking steps for the decision of CCF to be revised.

The CBI remains in active communication with CCF and other bodies in Interpol in an ongoing process relating to this case.

It may be noted that an Interpol Red Notice is neither a pre requisite nor a requirement for extradition proceedings. The Global Operations Centre of CBI continues to closely monitor movements of wanted criminals like Mehul Choksi in close direct coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies and not reliant only on Interpol channels. Extradition request made by India is under active consideration before authorities in Antigua and Barbuda and remains fully unimpacted by Red Notice related communications with Interpol.

The CBI remains committed seeking return of fugitives and criminals to India to face process of criminal justice. Systematic steps have been initiated in close coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies for geo-locating and return of wanted criminals and economic offenders. In the last 15 months, over 30 wanted criminals have returned to India.

ALSO READ: Africa-India joint exercise begins in Pune

Previous Story

MEA among least funded Central Ministries: Parliamentary panel

Next Story

India govt blocked 110 YouTube channels since December 2021

Latest from Asia News

TIES WITH CHINA: Is Bangladesh Going Lanka Way?

Plans for nine Special Economic Zones, including Chinese-developed sites in Chattogram and Chandpur, promise jobs but risk creating enclaves where Beijing’s economic priorities overshadow Bangladesh’s….reports Asian Lite News On a humid March

Khaleda Zia’s Son Return Looms as Yunus Faces Heat

The core question remains whether Rahman can provide leadership in politically turbulent times in Bangladesh….reports Asian Lite News Speculation is mounting in Bangladesh over the possible return of Tarique Rahman, son of

Pakistan on the Brink: War, Weakness, Woes

The reason behind growing anxiety and consternation in Islamabad is the depleting reserves of its military’s artillery and ammunition and also a ruined economy…reports Asian Lite News As the tensions between India

UNSC Convenes Over India-Pak Crisis

Pakistan is currently an elected member of the Council and will participate in the meeting….reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be holding a closed-door meeting on Monday
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Auditor finds ‘questionable’ land deals in Ahmedabad Metro Rail project

According to the independent auditor’s report, “It was observed that

2 Indian peacekeepers killed in Congo

Guterres sent his condolences to the Indian government on the