'Mehul Choksi Can't Be Deported To India', Says Counsel Vijay Aggarwal, Know Why

"As per Indian Citizenship Act, the moment Mehul Choksi acquired citizenship of Antigua he ceased to be an Indian citizen. As per Immigration & Passport Act he can be deported only to Antigua", Agarwal said.

New Delhi: Mehul Choksi's counsel Vijay Agarwal made a surprising revelation when he said that he can be deported only to Antigua. Earlier, fugitive diamantaire was reported to have been held by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Dominica after he went missing in Antigua and Barbuda.

It was reported earlier that Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that Choksi will be directly repatriated to India, and Indian authorities are in touch with those in Dominica.

While speaking to ANI, Agarwal said, "As per Indian Citizenship Act, the moment Mehul Choksi acquired citizenship of Antigua he ceased to be an Indian citizen. As per Immigration & Passport Act he can be deported only to Antigua". 

According to local media, efforts are on to hand him over to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

The businessman was captured on Tuesday night (local time) after an Interpol Yellow Notice was issued by Antigua and Barbuda. Choksi was caught during a manhunt that was launched after he went missing on Sunday. Local authorities had informed that they were collaborating with the Indian government, neighbouring countries and international police organisation to try and locate Choksi.

 

Choksi, an accused in the multi-million-rupee fraud case along with his nephew Nirav Modi, was last seen going for dinner in his car in Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday. He obtained his citizenship for Antigua and Barbuda via the citizenship by investment programme.