Mehul Choksi case: India files impleadment applications in Dominica High Court; CBI to focus on PNB case, MEA on Choksi's Indian citizenship status

India has filed impleadment applications in Dominica High Court one by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and another by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). As per the sources quoted by ANI, CBI will focus on PNB case to establish fugitive status of Mehul Choksi and MEA will focus on his Indian citizenship status.

"India files impleadment applications in Dominica court- one by CBI & another by MEA. CBI to focus on PNB case to establish fugitive status of Mehul Choksi & MEA to focus on his Indian citizenship status. If applications are allowed, Harish Salve to represent both CBI & MEA: Sources, " ANI tweeted.

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CBI has also filed an affidavit in Dominica High Court opposing Mehul Choksi's bail petition and said he "is and remains an international fugitive who continues to evade law enforcement in India".

The affidavit filed through Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of CBI Sharda Raut, who is leading Indian probe agencies in Dominica, apprised the court about the facts of the case pending in India against Choksi, as per a report by ANI.

India files impleadment applications in Dominica court- one by CBI & another by MEA. CBI to focus on PNB case to establish fugitive status of Mehul Choksi &MEA to focus on his Indian citizenship status. If applications are allowed,Harish Salve to represent both CBI & MEA: Sources

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2021

The affidavit was filed on behalf of Indian probe agencies in Dominica High Court. The affidavit stated that Choksi was the mastermind behind a series of companies, and he and others conspired with officials of the bank to unauthorizedly raise credit by abusing the procedures.

On the complaint made by the Indian government, a "red notice" has been issued against Choksi by Interpol, CBI told the Dominica Court.

CBI made attempts to arrest Mehul Choksi during the course investigation, but his whereabouts were unknown, and he was not available in India: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Dominica

— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2021

"Mehul Choksi is fully aware of proceedings in India. He has appointed lawyers in India and one of them recently gave a press interview about the happenings in Dominica supporting the version being advanced by Choksi. It is unfortunate that Choksi has suppressed all this from the court and has instead suggested that there are no proceedings against him in India," Indian probe agencies told the Dominica court.

After taking note of the facts of the case, the Dominica High Court dismissed Choksi's bail petition and noted that he is "flight risk".

Choksi's counsel argued for bail citing medical grounds. However, Counsel for the State opposed the bail and told the court that Mehul Choksi is "flight risk" and has an Interpol red notice issued against him.

The 62-year-old fugitive businessman, who fled to Antigua and Barbuda, is wanted by the Indian probe agencies for allegedly cheating the Punjab National Bank of over Rs 13000 crore rupees, one of the largest bank frauds in the country.