Mehul Choksi a crook, will be extradited after appeals process: Antigua PM

Gaston Browne said Choksi had brought a bad name for Antigua and he must leave

54-Mehul-Choksi Mehul Choksi | Amey Mansabdar

In a boost to India's efforts to extradite Mehul Choksi, Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne said the fugitive diamantaire was a “crook” and would ultimately be deported. Along with his nephew Nirav Modi, Choksi is the main accused in the PNB scam case.

Browne made the remarks in an interaction with Indian news agencies on Wednesday. Browne told news agency ANI, “(I) got subsequent information that Mehul Choksi is a crook; he does not add value to our country. He will be deported ultimately after he exhausts appeals. Indian officials are free to investigate based on his willingness to participate.”

Browne was speaking on the sidelines of the leaders' meeting of the India-CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Browne was quoted by Times Now as saying Choksi had brought a bad name for Antigua and he must leave. “Antigua wants friendly relation with India and this man should not be a reason for animosity between the two great nations,” Browne declared.

Browne told DD News, “We are a country of laws, the matter is before the judiciary” and explained Choksi had several options to appeal, until which the government of Antigua could do nothing.

Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, had both fled from India nearly 20 months ago before news of the $2 billion PNB scam emerged. Choksi received citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in January 2018.

In June this year, Choksi had submitted an affidavit in the Bombay High Court, stating he is “residing in Antigua and was willing to cooperate in the investigation into the PNB scam”.

In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK in March, Choksi claimed PNB was at fault in the scam and alleged, “Both the opposition and the ruling party are using my name for political gains.”