PNB scam: Diamantaire Choksi denies any truth in allegations against him

The CBI came to know of it last week and shared the information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Both the CBI and the ED have been probing the multi-crore fraud allegedly committed between 2011-2017 by Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi.

Image courtesy: PTI

New Delhi: Fugitive diamontaire Mehul Choksi, who is accused in Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank fraud case and is being searched for, by Indian investigative agencies has denied “any truth in allegations” against him. Chowksi, who moved to Antigua a few days ago and allegedly bought their passport, issued a statement to a Caribbean newspaper 'Antigua Observer' via his attorney saying, “I can say categorically, that there is no truth in those allegations.” The owner of the Gitanjali group firms further said that in January 2018, "I had need to visit the US to receive medical treatment. Having received treatment I am still in a state convalescence." "That being the case, I have decided to reside in Antigua and Barbuda, the country of my citizenship, and to abide by the laws of the country," he said. The revelation came from Antiguan authorities in response to a CBI diffusion notice circulated to foreign countries through Interpol. The CBI came to know of it last week and shared the information with the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Both the CBI and the ED have been probing the multi-crore fraud allegedly committed between 2011-2017 by Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi. Choksi also said that "I can, however, state that I lawfully applied to be registered as a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment Program. "During the course of my application I did all that was lawfully required of me to do," he claimed, adding, "My application for citizenship was in due course approved." Choksi also claimed that his application was motivated by his desire to expand his business interest in the Caribbean and to obtain visa free travel access to 130 countries. "That remains my reason for choosing to become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda," he said.