PNB scam: Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi goes missing in Antigua

New Delhi: Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in a Rs 13,5000-crore loan fraud in Punjab National Bank by the CBI and the ED has reportedly gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda, his lawyer said.

In an exclusive statement to ANI, his lawyer said that Choksi was missing and his family members who were worried and anxious had called him to discuss.

Choksi, who had taken the citizenship of the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, was seen driving in the southern area of the island on Sunday, a local media report said. Later, his vehicle was found but there was no trace of Choksi, the reports said.

Reports suggest that Choksi may have fled to Cuba fearing extradition to India.

According to local media Antigua News, the Commissioner of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, Atlee Rodney, said the force is currently following up on the whereabouts of the Indian businessman who is rumoured to be missing at this time,

Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi had siphoned off Rs 13,500 crore from the state-run Punjab National Bank (PNB), using letters of undertaking. They have has been residing in Antigua and Berbuda since January 4, 2018, since the scam came to light.

While Nirav Modi is in a London prison after repeated denial of bail and is contesting extradition to India, Choksi had taken the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 using the Citizenship by Investment programme, before fleeing India in the first week of January 2018. The scam came to light subsequently.