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Choksi's family might petition UN on his alleged kidnapping

Choksi is currently in detention in Dominica, having disappeared from Antigua

Dominica India Mehul Choksi Caught in action: Mehul Choksi at the magistrate’s court in Roseau, Dominica, on June 4 | AP

The family of Indian-origin diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, wanted by Indian authorities for allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank, are considering petitioning the United Nations high commission for human rights in Geneva for what they claim was abduction and torture of the diamantaire in the Caribbean. He is currently in detention in Dominica, having mysteriously disappeared from Antigua, where he was a resident.

A reliable source close to the Choksis disclosed an eminent French academic has been approached to take up the matter with the UN. Dominica is a member of the Commonwealth as well as a Francophone country like other bilingual nations, such as Canada.

Choksi’s British barrister Michael Polak said: “This affair is becoming increasingly damaging for the reputation of Antigua, Dominica, the Caribbean and the Commonwealth as places where the rule of law applies and the blatant untruths which have been circulated regarding what has taken place offend the intelligence of the people who are following this story.”

Last week, he complained about Choksi being abducted and tortured, to London’s metropolitan police known as Scotland Yard under Britain Universal Jurisdiction Act. About the Caribbean Community known as CARICOM, he stressed: “It is important that CARICOM speak up about this farce, and that they act decisively.”

Choksi was scheduled to appear in a Dominica court on June 14 to face trial for illegally entering the island. He denies this version of events and insists he was forcibly brought there.  Earlier, he was refused bail on grounds of being a flight risk. India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is arguing he is still an Indian citizen.

Michelle Bachelet, who currently heads the UN high commission for human rights, has previously been quite candid in her comments about the Narendra Modi government’s conduct. In October last year, she issued an appeal to India to safeguard human rights defenders and NGOs. She stated: “India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of ground-breaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally,” adding, “but I am concerned that vaguely defined laws are increasingly being used to stifle these voices.”

Thereafter, in February this year, speaking on the Indian government’s handling of farmers’ protests, she spoke of “disturbing departures from essential human rights principles”. Last, but not the least, working groups attached to the commission have slammed India for the kidnapping of Dubai princess, Latifa, in the Arabian Sea and rendition of a British aviation consultant Christian Michel from Dubai to Delhi.

Polak's organisation Justice Abroad stated additional proof has surfaced in the case. “Videos have now been discovered which we believe shows the small boat travelling towards Jolly Harbour, then travelling away from Jolly Harbour 26 minutes later. This is believed to have carried Mr Choksi out of Jolly Harbour North Finger,” they portrayed.

Polak maintained: “The evidence is very clear. Mr Choksi has been kidnapped and he must be returned to Antigua (where Choksi is a citizen, having renounced his Indian nationality in 2018).” Referring to the judicial proceedings underway in Dominica, he said, “The only proper resolution of this case is for Mr Choksi to be returned to Antigua where due process can be followed."

In addition to the four accused in the complaint, attention has focused on an Indian-owned UK-based travel agency called Skylord Travel Ltd. “It is suggested,” Justice Abroad indicated, “that this company was not involved in the kidnapping.”

Justice Abroad shared text messages of May 8 between Barbara Jarabik, the alleged Hungarian Mata Hari in the professed episode, and a person said to be the owner of two sandwiched Airbnb apartments with a private beach and a dock for a boat in Antigua. These are identified as Jolly Harbour North Villa E and F.

After Jarabik books Villa F “for 1 guest between 20-24 May 2021”, Skylord apparently confirms the same dates for Villa E, according to Justice Abroad, who asserts: “It is likely that the men who booked Villa E through the travel agent were part of the group who attacked and kidnapped Mr Choksi.”

The complaint received by Scotland Yard submits: “Someone purporting to be called Alpa enquires about Villa E, next door to Jarabik’s booked villa, asking to book for 20-24 May 2021, stating that their clients have a meeting on 20 May 2021 at 10.30 am. The number on Alpa’s Airbnb belongs to a Mr Dalip Kumar Kewalramani a Director of Skylord Travel PLC. Skylord Travel is a UK registered travel agent with UK offices in Eastcote (near London), Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester and two offices in India which specialises in India related travel.” The complaint went on to say: “It is believed that some or all of the men who attacked, kidnapped and tortured Mr Choksi… were staying in this property and Mr Kewalramani and his co-directors would have their identities.”

Companies House, registrar of commercial firms in England and Wales, listed Manjinder Seehra, Ranjan Sehgal and Mrs Kartick Sehgal as the other directors.

Skylord’s website invites people to call between 9 am and 7.30 pm. Yet several phone calls to its number to check with Kewalramani about the allegations levelled elicited a “no reply”.

Asked for an update, a spokesman for Scotland Yard remarked: “We have nothing further to say about the referral at this stage.” The War Crimes Team dealing with the probe are reputed not to rush with complaints involving crimes committed abroad. Their initial inquiries include contacting the countries where the offence is said to have taken place and corroborating and determining details from them.

Polak has virtually charged the Indian government of being behind the kidnapping. “An Indian private jet was at the ground in Dominica with agents ready to whisk Choksi away, without any legal authority in Antigua or Dominica to do so,” Justice Abroad contended.

However, if there was a plan to bundle him back to India, this obviously failed. There was no reaction to Polak or Justice Abroad’s insinuations from either New Delhi or the Indian high commission in London.

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