Diamond merchant Mehul Choksi refuses to come back to India citing health reasons

He had flown out of the country in January first week and has not disclosed his current whereabouts.

Mehul Choksi

Gitanjali group owner Mehul Choksi, against whom the CBI has registered two cases and the Enforcement Directorate is conducting money laundering probe into the Punjab National Bank fraud, has cited health issues and suspension of his passport as reasons for not coming back to India.

The diamond merchant, who had flown out of the country in the first week of January, did not disclose his current whereabouts.

Mr. Choksi claimed that he could not travel as he underwent a cardiac procedure in the first week of February and that he was not allowed to travel for at least four to six months. He also refused to contact the nearest Indian Embassy for getting temporary travel documents, as instructed by the CBI, saying that under no law such an order could be issued.

'Enforcement agencies violated my constitutional rights'

Mr. Choksi, who has distanced himself from the alleged offences committed by his nephew, Nirav Modi, replied to a CBI e-mail, expressing his inability to join the probe. He claimed that the enforcement agencies violated his constitutional rights by taking “pre-determined” measures against him and his companies.

In a previous mail to the CBI, Mr. Choksi claimed that he was concerned about his and his family’s safety. He said he was being threatened by those with whom he had business relations. His employees, creditors and customers were showing animosity towards him.

Expressing apprehension that he would be arrested upon his return, Mr. Choksi said he would not get proper healthcare in a government hospital. He also alleged media trial, stating that the issue was being highlighted by political parties to advance their own interests.