ED rejects Mehul Choksi’s plea to question him in Antigua

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National News

Jun 23, 2019

1:54PM

ED rejects Mehul Choksi’s plea to question him in Antigua

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Enforcement Directorate (ED) has rejected a plea by fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi that he should be questioned in Antigua because of his health condition.

In its counter-affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court, ED said it can arrange air ambulance with medical experts to bring him back to India for interrogation in connection with the PNB fraud case.

Choksi, who is an accused in the case, has taken refuge in the Caribbean island nation of Antigua.

He has approached the Bombay High Court and said that he is willing to join investigation if his questioning was held in Antigua or via through video conferencing in the light of his medical condition. But the ED rejected his plea and said that he has to return to India for questioning.

Choksi has also said that he has left India for his medical treatment abroad and not to avoid prosecution in the case. Countering his submission, the ED told the court that the best medical facilities are available in India and will be provided to Choksi if he returns to India.

The ED said that the agency's intention has never been to play with the health or life of any person, even if he or she is an accused.

Choksi absconded after 14,000-crore rupees PNB fraud came to light in January last year. He is one of the prime accused in the case.