The Bombay High Court on Monday asked a team of doctors in Mumbai to review all medical papers submitted by absconding diamantaire Mehul Choksi for not being able to return to India.
A Division Bench of Justices Indrajit Mahanty and A.M. Badar was hearing an appeal filed by Mr. Choksi against an order refusing let him to cross-examine the Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) who had filed the application to declare him a fugitive economic offender (FEO).
On July 10, 2018, the ED filed an application before the Special Court to declare Mr. Choksi an FEO. Soon thereafter, on October 31, Mr. Choksi filed ten applications, in one of which he stated that he wanted to cross-examine the Deputy Director of the ED, who had filed the complaint against him under the new Act.
On January 31, 2019, the application was rejected by the Special Court and he moved the HC, challenging the order, and sought for it to be set aside.
The court on Monday directed Mr. Choksi’s counsel to provide all documents and records pertaining to his health to the Head of Cardiology at Mumbai’s J.J. Hospital, and coordinate with a person there if additional documents were required. The court said the report on whether he could travel to India should be submitted in a sealed envelope on July 9 as the Union government had offered to provide him with air ambulance.
The court has directed the ED’s counsel Hiten Venegavkar to take instructions on whether there could be any relaxation on the red corner notice issued against him as Mr. Choksi claims that he needed medical treatment that could not be provided in Antigua and he needed to travel to Miami for it.
Preferred hospital
The court further asked Mr. Choksi’s counsel if Mr. Choksi could travel to India, which would be his preferred hospital. The matter will be heard on July 10.
Through his counsel, Mr. Choksi has repeatedly told the court that he cannot travel and has submitted a detailed medical history of his ailments, which severely constrain him from travelling to India from Antigua.
