Published 15:01 IST, October 22nd 2019
PNB Scam: Two fresh applications filed in Mehul Choksi's case
In connection with the Punjab National Bank scam, a Special CBI court on Tuesday issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation on two applications filed
A Special CBI court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on two fresh applications filed in connection with the Punjab National Bank scam. The case, in which Gitanjali Gems promoter Mehul Choksi is a prime accused for defrauding India's second-largest state-run bank PNB to the tune of over Rs 13,000 crore along with his nephew Nirav Modi, has been long pending. Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi have been on the run ever since the reports of the fraud broke out. Mehul Choksi is reported to have fled to Antigua and Barbuda after he was granted citizenship on January 15, 2018. The Special Court is scheduled to hear the matter pertaining to both the applications on October 23.
CBI seizure of data sought
Earlier, the CBI had requested the court to declare prime accused Choksi a proclaimed offender and attach his assets under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Filed by Advocates Vijay Aggarwal and Anshul Aggarwal, the first application seeks cancellation of a non-bailable warrant which is pending against Choksi and contends that unless the application is heard and disposed-off, he cannot be declared an offender. It also states that such a declaration without hearing their client, Mehul Choksi would be a violation of his right to natural justice. The second application which was filed by AS Nair sought CBI seizure of copies of data stored in the server of Gitanjali Gems Limited based on the grounds that the bureau has an obligation to place on record all the material they have seized as it is important for the defence to prepare the case.
Antigua PM calls Choksi a crook
Earlier in September, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne had called economic fugitive Mehul Choksi a ‘crook’. It is just a matter of time before he will be extradited to India, he added while talking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. He stated that Mehul Choksi had appealed the case against him. He added that their courts were dealing with the appeal and that there was no decision that can be taken to extradite him, prior to the verdict. He assured that ultimately Choksi will be deported after exhausting all of his appeals or he will be repatriated for that matter or extradited to India to face whatever charges he has against him.
Updated 16:04 IST, October 22nd 2019