Congress alleges Modi govt’s complicity in Choksi’s Antiguan citizenship

With Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Friday saying that India has not approached his country on fugitive diamond jeweller Mehul Choksi who has secured citizenship of the Caribbean country, Congress alleged complicity on part of Modi government and the investigative agencies.

"The tragic part is that Modi government has been lax, bordering complicity, in ensuring that thousands of crores of money duped by the Indian fugitives are brought back within the ambit of law," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

"We ask Prime Minister Modi and BJP's departmental organisations like CBI and ED as to how Mehul Choksi was permitted to travel to Hong Kong, UAE, Belgium, the UK, the USA and Antigua," he asked.

Surjewala said despite that no red corner notice was issued by the Interpol.

"Was it on account of some complicity on part of CBI and ED so that he is permitted to take care of his businesses all over the world?" he asked.

"PM Modi who had a close bonhomie with the prime minister of Antigua, needs to answer as to why doesn't he pick up the phone and urge him to detain and arrest Mehul Choksi.

"...hand him over to us through the normal process of deportation of criminals that is followed in international diplomacy."

"The very fact that the Prime Minister is not doing so raises a doubt about the seriousness and bona fides of Modi government," said Surjewala.

Choksi, wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case along with nephew Nirav Modi, had taken Antiguan citizenship last year in November.