The Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against fugitive billionaire Mehul Choksi for his involvement in the Punjab National Bank scam estimated to be around Rs 13,000 crore. He, in collusion with his nephew Nirav Modi, is alleged to have defrauded banks in India and fleeing the country early this year.
CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said, "The Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice against Mehul Choksi on the request of CBI."
After fleeing India, Choksi took citizenship of Antigua in the first week of January this year. He had challenged the CBI application seeking issuance of Red Corner Notice against him at Interpol, calling the case a result of political conspiracy. He had also raised questions about issues such as jail conditions in India, his personal safety and health.
The matter went to a five-member Interpol committee's court, called Commission for Control of Files, which cleared the Red Corner Notice and rejected his contentions.
An RCN is a form of international arrest warrant, wherein Interpol asks its member countries to arrest or detain a fugitive, wanted by another member country, if he is detected in their respective jurisdictions.
The CBI had registered the case on February 15 this year, following a complaint from Punjab National Bank against Choksi, MD, Gitanjali Gems and others on the allegations of cheating PNB.
After investigation, a chargesheet was filed on May 16, this year against Choksi and 17 other accused, persons before the Special Judge in Greater Mumbai.
It was alleged that Choksi, the main beneficiary of the defrauded funds, had escaped from the country before registration of the case. A Lookout Circular was also issued by the CBI.
More recently, the CBI had also managed to get a Red Corner Notice issued agianst against Nirav and Neeshal Modi, along with Subhash Shankar Parab.
CHOKSI’S FIGHT
- After fleeing India, Choksi took citizenship of Antigua in the first week of January this year.
- He had challenged the CBI application for RCN against him, calling the case a result of political conspiracy.
- A five-member committee rejected claim and granted CBI request
