HC rejects Choksi’s plea to stay case against him in special court

Diamond businessman Mehul Choksi sought a stay against Enforcement Directorate’s move to declare him a fugitive economic offender

Mehul Choksi. | File

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday refused to grant an interim stay on the proceedings at the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to declare Mehul Choksi a fugitive economic offender in the Punjab National Bank scam.

A Division Bench of Justices B.P. Dharmadhikari and S.S. Jadhav was hearing an appeal filed by Mr. Choksi to cross-examine the Deputy Director (DD) of the ED. This application was rejected by the special PMLA court and hence he moved the High Court.

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Mr. Choksi in his application said the DD filed the complaint against him to show that the investigation in the case was arbitrary and defective and said the denial to cross-examine him would result in grave prejudice to him. The application also said that because the DD had chosen the documents and witnesses whose statements were recorded and drew its own conclusions, it was imperative to cross-examine him as per the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.

He also sought to stay the proceedings initiated by the ED to declare him a fugitive economic offender till he gets to cross examine DD and other ED officials.

This application was rejected by the Bench.