World Exclusive from Antigua: They made me a scapegoat to save PNB, alleges fugitive Mehul Choksi

In his defence, Choksi in ABP News’ World Exclusive telecast from the Caribbean island nation, has dubbed the alleged scam as a big political conspiracy. He says “they have put so many criminal cases against me…I became a soft target. There is too much pressure on the government to bring people wanted for economic crimes extradited from UK.”

Mehul Choksi breaks down while speaking to ABP News' Investigative Editor Sheela Raval in Antigua.

New Delhi:  First time ever from Antigua, fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi has spoken at length to an Indian TV news channel on charges against him in the USD 2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud. Choksi and his nephew and fellow diamond merchant Nirav Modi have been charged of defrauding the state-owned bank to the tune of Rs 13,500 crore. In his defence, Choksi in ABP News’ World Exclusive telecast from the Caribbean island nation, has dubbed the alleged scam as a big political conspiracy. He says “they have put so many criminal cases against me…I became a soft target. There is too much pressure on the government to bring people wanted for economic crimes extradited from UK.”

They have put so many criminal cases against me…I became a soft target. There is too much pressure on the government to bring people wanted for economic crimes extradited from UK: Mehul Choksi #ABPपरमेहुलचोकसी

WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/DklVA2kRqn pic.twitter.com/T9Cd6ARfuh — ABP News (@abpnewstv) September 11, 2018

Asserting that there was no fraud or scam committed by his company at all; it was rather a fraudulent complaint. He alleged “complacency in the reporting system of the bank to the reserve bank. Why the bank which conducts several audits in a year could not detect this? This is the case is most banks and you will be shocked to know how banks are run.”

There was no fraud or scam committed by my company at all; it was rather a fraudulent complaint: Mehul Choksi #ABPपरमेहुलचोकसी

WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/DklVA2kRqn pic.twitter.com/WmGxyshlbp — ABP News (@abpnewstv) September 11, 2018

The diamond jeweler said PNB, which was in doldrums, tried to save its face by making us the scapegoat. He refused to admit that he fled India when the CBI was about to file a case against him. "I was in USA when the news of raids came. I was undergoing medical treatment; the raids were unprecedented." "The government also tried to save the bank at the cost of one of the leading companies (Gitanjali Group) in India. Just because it became a political matter, I basically became the soft target in the whole process."

Government also tried to save the bank at the cost of one of the leading companies (Gitanjali Group) in India. Just because it became a political matter, I basically became the soft target in the whole process: Mehul Choksi#ABPपरमेहुलचोकसी WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/DklVA2kRqn

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) September 11, 2018

On Modi government’s efforts in nabbing him and his nephew Nirav Modi under the diplomatic provisions, Choksi said “just because the government had too much pressure on it from the Opposition, a company where as many as 6,000 employees were working directly or indirectly was shut in a day without completing investigations. My company is a prestigious 50-year-old company and has nearly won 150 awards.” Choksi said the government has put over a dozen investigative agencies behind him. He called the entire process a violation of human rights, “So basically whatever is happening is unjust and honestly speaking it’s completely against the human rights.” Explaining why he considers himself a soft target, Choksi said the, “bank defaulters have become an issue and can have an influence in the upcoming elections. Hence I am being targeted in this manner. I have the highest respect for our PM and the government but people need to understand that I am not a defaulter. I never was before this. Won’t I become one when they seize my assets, freeze my bank accounts and shut my company?” Shedding light on why he chose Antigua to escape, Choksi said he had applied for Antiguan citizenship last year and the sole reason of living there was to expand his jewellery business. Choksi refrained from commenting on Nirav Modi who is the prime accused in the banking fraud but mentioned he was a partner in one of Modi’s companies which was dissolved in 2000. However, Choksi’s name still figures in the KYC form of PNB. Deeply hurt by the shutting down of his companies, he says, “What hurts the most is that 6000 employees going jobless. Their gratuities are lost. Among them were 500-600 physically handicapped employees who I wanted to shift to a different company.” He said since February 15 none of his employees, friends, acquaintances, and family members have expressed desire to speak on phone fearing investigations. “No one wants to keep relations with me now.” Unsure of when he plans to return to India, Choksi admitted that he misses his country and Mumbai where his residence is. “Why wouldn’t I miss India?...I want to be like a free bird which I believe is the right of every human. “ He said that he also tried to revoke the suspension of his passport with the authorities in Mumbai but they did not respond to him. Both Modi and Choksi have refused to join investigation in spite of repeated summons by the agencies to appear for questioning. Choksi has cited threat to his life, medical condition, media bias, and poor jail conditions in his appeal before the Interpol to stall issuance of Red Corner Notice against him. (Written and Edited by Dheeraj Chandrasekhar)