The CBI has approached the Dominican High Court opposing the bail utility of fugitive diamond service provider Mehul Choksi, who’s presently within the custody of the Dominican police.
Choksi is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) to the tune of Rs 13,600 crore. An affidavit filed by CBI’s Deputy Inspector General of Police Sharda Raut mentioned, Choksi is an “international fugitive who continues to evade law enforcement in India”.
The affidavit mentioned that Choksi is the “mastermind” of the fraud, who “conspired with the officers of the bank to mobilize credit unauthorizedly by misusing the bank’s procedures and over a period of time (between January and May 2017) in such a manner managed to obtain a credit of approximately $950 million that is owed.”
According to the affidavit, “With regard to the allegations, in respect of which evidence has now emerged, they are laundering of funds, and money laundering using counterfeit companies and market operators, round-tripping under the guise of fraudulent export import transactions with entities in countries across the country.” Belongs to. Like Dubai and Hong Kong…”
The CBI additionally mentioned that Choksi is absolutely conscious of the proceedings in India and has appointed legal professionals in India to struggle his case. The company additionally rejected Choksi’s provide to be interrogated by the CBI exterior India.
“The query of interviewing Mr. Mehul Choksi at a spot of his selection doesn’t come up. There is an unlimited quantity of proof, oral and documentary, with which they must be confronted. Further, he’s to be produced in an Indian court docket to face proceedings beneath Indian legal guidelines,” the CBI mentioned.
Choksi’s lawyer in India, Vijay Agarwal, submitted that the details said within the CBI affidavit are usually not related to the bail utility being heard by the Dominican court docket.
“There is no justice in bail applications, we are at liberty to reapply for bail. Every day there is a new position in custody and one can re-apply for bail. The Court has not ruled on merits but only on the basis that we need to satisfy the Court about the presence of our client in Dominica…” he mentioned.
“We are not much bothered about the affidavits of the Indian agencies as the facts stated therein are not relevant considerations before the bail court.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
