As per sources, Indian ambassador in Guyana met Antigua’s foreign minister. Antigua has also been handed over CBI’s copy of Mehul’s extradition.
This is the third meeting of Indian ambassador and Antigua foreign minister within a period of a month and a half and the two parties have discussed Choksi’s extradition.
The foreign minister of Antigua said that their Attorney General and Solicitor General are looking after the matter and Antigua will take action after their reports.
Previously, Antigua’s Prime Minister Gaston Brownie had refused to extradite Mehul Choksi , over which the Prime Minister’s Office of India had expressed its displeasure, and had directed investigative agencies and foreign ministry to recount Choksi’s cases to Antigua.
Choksi says ‘innocent’ in ABP News interview
In his first ever talk with any Indian news channel after absconding from India, fraud accused Mehul Choksi said that he has become a scapegoat in a big political conspiracy. He said that since elections are round the corner, government has the pressure to bring back at least one fugitive economic offender before the polls otherwise the results can be affected. 'Out of all the people wanted for economic crimes whose extradition from UK is sought, I became a soft target..they have put so many criminal cases against me', said Choksi.
Also Read: World Exclusive from Antigua: They made me a scapegoat to save PNB, alleges fugitive Mehul Choksi
ED refutes Choksi’s claims:
The Enforcement Directorate has said that Choksi has transferred about Rs 3257 crore on the name of his companies and has also booked a villa in UAE with the amount of the scam. As per an official of the investigate agency, Choksi left India under a well-knit plan. He had transferred a good amount in his foeign accounst so that he would not face any problem in living abroad and fighting cases.