Moved to Antigua for ‘Business Interests’: Mehul Choksi

Mehul Choksi who is an economic fugitive in India said in a statement that he has applied for the citizenship of Antigua to expand his business in the Caribbean and to obtain visa-free travel to 130 countries.

Stating that he has lawfully applied to be a citizen of Antigue under the “Citizenship by Investment programme”, Mr Choksi said, through his lawyer, “My application is motivated by my desire to expand my business interest in the Caribbean and to obtain visa-free travel access to 130 or so countries.”

Choksi was granted Antigua citizenship in November. He had left India in the first week of January and took an oath of allegiance as a citizen of Antigua on January 15. Days later, on January 29, the investigating agencies have filed a case against Mehul Choksi and his nephew, jeweler Nirav Modi, over a Rs 13,500 PNB scam.

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Mehul Choksi stated that he had left India to get medical treatment in the US.

“Having received treatment I am still in a state convalescence. That being the case I have decided to reside in Antigua and Barbuda, the country of my citizenship, and to abide by the laws of the country, as is the duty of every citizen,” said the 59-year-old businessman.

Sources say when Choksi applied for citizenship last year; authorities in Antigua had asked India to give details of any cases against him. At the time, there were none.

“Choksi’s actions reveal that he had planned his escape route knowing the PNB fraud would explode after the retirement of the PNB employee who had helped him with fake guarantees,” according to officials.

Mehul Choksi has refused to return to India, saying he fears ‘mob-lynching’.

The PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court has summoned Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi on September 25 and 26 respectively on the Enforcement Directorate’s plea.