Wanted diamond trader Mehul Choksi has surrendered his Indian passport, sources confirmed on Monday.
The confirmation came a year after Mr. Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, left India, just before the major financial scam involving them and the Punjab National Bank (PNB) came to light. Mr. Choksi was subsequently located in the Caribbean island of Antigua.
“Mehul Choksi has surrendered his Indian passport to the High Commission in Guyana. It may be kept in mind that whenever an Indian citizen acquires foreign nationality, he is expected to surrender his Indian passport,” said the sources.
It was learnt last year that Mr. Choksi had taken the citizenship of Antigua before fleeing India.
While reports have confirmed earlier that Mr. Modi has taken refuge in London, Mr. Choksi has remained in the island, which has legal ties with the United Kingdom.
The Ministry of External Affairs had revoked the passports of the duo within months after the PNB scam erupted.
‘Investment criterion’
Mr. Choksi has refused to return so far despite a major controversy that erupted in Antigua following the discovery that the authorities had granted citizenship to a fugitive from India under an ‘investment criterion’ that allows businessmen to avail citizenship of the island in exchange for investments.
This is also the first prominent incident after the government brought in the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill. Officials, however, are yet to clarify if Mr. Choksi personally came to surrender the passport at Guyana or sent it by mail.
“India continues to pursue Choksi’s return with the Government of Antigua through diplomatic and legal channels,” a source said.
He will be brought to India: Rajnath
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Greater Noida, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, “We have brought the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act and there is a process under that law [to curb big fraud cases]. He [Choksi] will be brought to India for sure and no one will be spared. Action will be taken against everyone.”
(With inputs from PTI )
