Mehul Choksi: Difference between revisions
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'''Mehul Chinubhai Choksi''' (born 5 May 1959) is a fugitive Indian-born businessman living in [[Antigua and Barbuda]], who is wanted by the Indian judicial authorities for [[Conspiracy (criminal)|criminal conspiracy]], criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption and [[money laundering]]. In an interview,<ref name="ABP Live">{{cite web|url=https://www.abplive.in/videos/major-highlights-of-world-exclusive-interview-of-mehul-choksi-from-antigua-754043|title=Major highlights of world exclusive interview of Mehul Choksi from Antigua|date=11 September 2018|website=www.abplive.in|accessdate=18 September 2018}}</ref> Choksi claimed that he is innocent and all allegations against him are false, baseless and motivated by political expediency. Choksi holds |
'''Mehul Chinubhai Choksi''' (born 5 May 1959) is a fugitive Indian-born businessman living in [[Antigua and Barbuda]], who is wanted by the Indian judicial authorities for [[Conspiracy (criminal)|criminal conspiracy]], criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption and [[money laundering]]. In an interview,<ref name="ABP Live">{{cite web|url=https://www.abplive.in/videos/major-highlights-of-world-exclusive-interview-of-mehul-choksi-from-antigua-754043|title=Major highlights of world exclusive interview of Mehul Choksi from Antigua|date=11 September 2018|website=www.abplive.in|accessdate=18 September 2018}}</ref> Choksi claimed that he is innocent and all allegations against him are false, baseless and motivated by political expediency. Choksi holds Indian citizenship<ref name="Times of India">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-moved-to-rescind-mehul-choksis-citizenship-for-false-declaration-antigua-minister/articleshow/83348747.cms|title=We moved to rescind Mehul Choksi's citizenship for 'false de declaration': Antigua minister|date=08 June 2021|website=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/|accessdate=08 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-has-not-renounced-citizenship-india-to-argue-in-dominica-2454197|title=Mehul Choksi Has Not Renounced Citizenship, India To Argue In Dominica|date=02 June 2021|website=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/|accessdate=02 june 2021}}</ref><ref name="Business Standard">{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/hand-over-mehul-choksi-he-is-our-citizen-india-tells-dominica-121053000162_1.html|title=Hand over Mehul Choksi, he is our citizen: India tells Dominica|date=30 May 2021|website=www.business-standard.com|accessdate=30 May 2021}}</ref>, and is the owner of [[Gitanjali Group]], a retail jewellery company with 4,000 stores in India.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43081499|title=Who is billionaire jeweller in fraud probe?|date=16 February 2018|accessdate=4 March 2018|work=BBC News}}</ref> An arrest warrant for Choksi has been issued in connection with the alleged [[Punjab National Bank Fraud Case, 2018|Punjab National Bank fraud case]].<ref name="FirstPost">{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/pnb-scam-india-can-seek-extradition-of-fugitive-mehul-choksi-without-red-corner-notice-says-cbi-5053521.html|title=PNB scam: India can seek extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi without Red Corner Notice, says CBI|website=www.firstpost.com|accessdate=18 September 2018}}</ref> He was allegedly involved in stock [[market manipulation]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/gitanjali-gems-chief-mehul-choksi-prime-securities-among-26-barred-from-stock-markets/33709.html|title=stock-markets}}</ref> In late May 2021, he had gone missing from Antigua and Barbuda. He was found and arrested in Dominica while trying to flee to Cuba in a boat. A Caribbean court has currently issued a stay on his repatriation from the Commonwealth of Dominica. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
Revision as of 14:49, 10 June 2021
Mehul Choksi | |
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Born | Mehul Chinubhai Choksi 5 May 1959 Bombay, India |
Nationality | Indian (1959–2017) |
Citizenship | Antigua and Barbuda (2017–) |
Education | G. D. Modi College |
Occupation | Businessman |
Known for | Alleged bank fraud, wanted by Indian Judicial Authorities, Owner of Gitanjali Group |
Criminal charges |
|
Criminal status | Found and arrested in Dominica |
Children | 3 |
Relatives | Nirav Modi (nephew) |
Mehul Chinubhai Choksi (born 5 May 1959) is a fugitive Indian-born businessman living in Antigua and Barbuda, who is wanted by the Indian judicial authorities for criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption and money laundering. In an interview,[1] Choksi claimed that he is innocent and all allegations against him are false, baseless and motivated by political expediency. Choksi holds Indian citizenship[2][3][4], and is the owner of Gitanjali Group, a retail jewellery company with 4,000 stores in India.[5] An arrest warrant for Choksi has been issued in connection with the alleged Punjab National Bank fraud case.[6] He was allegedly involved in stock market manipulation in 2013.[7] In late May 2021, he had gone missing from Antigua and Barbuda. He was found and arrested in Dominica while trying to flee to Cuba in a boat. A Caribbean court has currently issued a stay on his repatriation from the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Early life
Mehul Choksi was born on 5 May 1959 in Bombay,[8] the son of Chinubhai Choksi.[9] He was educated at G. D. Modi College in Palanpur, Gujarat.[9] He has three children, a son and two daughters.[8] One of his daughters married Akash Mehta, an Antwerp-based diamond merchant in December 2010.[10] Choksi is the maternal uncle of fugitive businessman Nirav Modi.[5][11]
His younger brother Chetan Chinubhai Choksi owned and operated a diamond company named Diminco NV, based in Antwerp, which had defaulted on a US$25.8 million payment to a subsidiary of ICICI Bank.[12] In 2013, the bank litigated a lawsuit against Diminco NV, in commercial courts in Belgium and UK.[13]
Career
Choksi started his career in the gem and jewellery sector in 1975, and took over the leadership of Gitanjali Gems from his father in 1985, when it was focused on just rough and polished diamonds.[9] He owns Gitanjali Group, which includes Gitanjali Gems.[14]
Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case
In March 2018, a special PMLA court issued non-bailable arrest warrants (NBWs) against Choksi, and his nephews Nirav Modi and Neeshal Deepak Modi, owner of Firestar Diamonds.[15] They are suspected of colluding with two employees of Punjab National Bank (PNB), the country's second-largest state-owned lender, in an alleged $1.8 billion fraud.[14] At least six PNB staff and at least six employees of Choksi and Modi have been arrested so far.[14] Choksi is a fugitive of Indian government. Choksi has protested his innocence in an open letter.[14] On 6 March 2018, the CBI detained Vipul Chitalia, the Vice-President of Gitanjali Group of Companies and a key aide of Choksi. Chitalia was arrested at Mumbai airport and remained in custody till March 2018.[16] A designated PMLA authority held that 41 properties worth about Rs 1,210 crore, attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the name of Mehul Choksi and his associated firms, are money laundering assets and ordered that their attachment should continue. The central probe agency provisionally attached 15 flats and 17 office premises in Mumbai, a mall in Kolkata, a four-acre farm house in Alibaug and 231 acres of land at locations like Nashik, Nagpur, Panvel in Maharashtra and Villupuram in Tamil Nadu, in February 2018 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the about US$2 billion alleged fraud at a Mumbai-based branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB).[17]
On 7 January 2018, Choksi left India to the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. A few days later, the PNB scam was disclosed. On 15 January, he took the oath of citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, where he applied for the citizenship in November 2017 under the country's Citizenship by Investment program.[18] On 17 June, his lawyer informed the Bombay High Court that he left India for medical check-up and not to avoid prosecution in the case.[19] Ever since, CBI has been trying to extradite him back to India.[20]
On 23 May 2021, Choksi had gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda. He was last seen around 5:15 pm on 23 May before leaving his home in a car which has been recovered by the police in Jolly Harbour area.[21] A probe has been launched to look for him. It was reported that he may have fled to Cuba.[22] On 26 May, he was found in a nearby Caribbean country of Dominica while trying to flee to Cuba by a boat and is held by the local police.[18] This flee attempt would make CBI's case of extraditing him to India in Antiguan courts stronger.[20] His lawyer claimed that Choksi was kidnapped by whom Choksi believed to be Indian and Antiguan police and brought to Dominica by a boat. He also claimed that Choksi had a swollen eye and several bruises when he met Choksi.[23] The High Court of Justice Commonwealth of Dominica has currently issued a stay order on his repatriation from the country.[24]
On 29 May 2021, Choksi's pictures were surfaced by Antiguan media. In the pictures, Choksi sustained several injuries to his left hand and the left eye is bruised and swollen.[25] Several Indian agencies were in touch with the Dominican government using diplomatic channels urging that he is an Indian citizen and that he had an Interpol Red Corner notice and he should be handed over to the Indian authorities. The opposition parties United Workers' Party of Dominica and United Progressive Party of Antigua and Barbuda are allegedly utilising this opportunity to support him against his deportation to India, in return for campaign funding.[26]
In early June 2021, Choksi filed an affidavit in the High Court of Dominica claiming there was no arrest warrant against him when he left India in January 2018 seeking medical treatment in the USA. He also stated that he has no intentions of absconding from attending the court and that he doesn't intend to leave Dominica. He claimed medical issues and fear for his health in his bail petition.[27]
See also
References
- ^ "Major highlights of world exclusive interview of Mehul Choksi from Antigua". www.abplive.in. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "We moved to rescind Mehul Choksi's citizenship for 'false de declaration': Antigua minister". https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/. 08 June 2021. Retrieved 08 June 2021.
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- ^ "Mehul Choksi Has Not Renounced Citizenship, India To Argue In Dominica". https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/. 02 June 2021. Retrieved 02 june 2021.
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- ^ "Hand over Mehul Choksi, he is our citizen: India tells Dominica". www.business-standard.com. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Who is billionaire jeweller in fraud probe?". BBC News. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "PNB scam: India can seek extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi without Red Corner Notice, says CBI". www.firstpost.com. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
- ^ "stock-markets".
- ^ a b "Mehul Choksi - Miner of the new world - Livemint". www.livemint.com. 16 February 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ a b c qz.com, Suneera Tandon. "The rise and fall of Mehul Choksi's sparkling Geetanjali Gems". scroll.in. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "Mehul Choksi's daughter weds in Jodhpur". 4 February 2011.
- ^ "Who is Mehul Choksi?". zeebiz.com. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "Mehul Choksi's brother a bank defaulter too - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "Worldwide freezing and disclosure relief denied in aid of a Belgian claim, in an application under section 25 Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982". The Injunctions Blog. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d Bhat, Swati (25 February 2018). "Mehul Choksi claims innocence in PNB fraud with open letter". livemint.com. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ Sahgal, Ram (3 March 2018). "PNB fraud case: Court issues non-bailable warrants against Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi". The Economic Times. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
- ^ "PNB fraud: Gitanjali Group's vice-president Vipul Chitalia detained by CBI". @businessline. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
- ^ "Mehul Choksi's Properties Are Money Laundering Assets: PMLA Authority". Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi held in Dominica: Local media". The Indian Express. 27 May 2021. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Left India for Medical Treatment: Mehul Choksi Tells Bombay HC". Yahoo News. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Fugitive Jeweller Mehul Choksi's Dramatic Capture After Escape By Boat". NDTV. 26 May 2021. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ May 25, Vijay Tagore / TNN / Updated; 2021; Ist, 08:55. "PNB scam: Mehul Choksi goes missing in Antigua, may have fled to Cuba | Mumbai News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
{{cite web}}
:|last2=
has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Pandey, Manish Chandra (25 May 2021). "Mehul Choksi goes missing, may have fled Antigua and reached Cuba, local police launch probe". India Today. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Mehul Choksi alleges kidnapping; lawyer says he is non-Indian, can't be repatriated". Financial Express. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Caribbean court stays Mehul Choksi's deportation from Dominica". The Times of India. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- ^ "Mehul Choksi's pictures from Dominica surface, show him with injury marks". The Economic Times. 30 May 2021. Archived from the original on 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Hand over Mehul Choksi, he is our citizen: India tells Dominica". Business Standard. 30 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ "Left India only for medical treatment, claims fugitive Mehul Choksi in Dominica court". The Economic Times. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.