The Enforcement Directorate has rejected fugitive Diamond tycoon Mehul Choksi’s plea of ill health in its affidavit filed in a Mumbai court. As per reports, the ED had filed a counter affidavit to Choksi’s claims and has stated that the scam accused’s excuses of ill health are just a facade.
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As per reports, PNB Scam accused Mehul Choksi had submitted to the court through his lawyer that he is too ill to travel and he is willing to be questioned in Antigua, where he had taken citizenship last year.
The ED, in its rejoinder, has stated, “The medical reasons and conditions appear to be facades being erected merely to mislead the court in an obvious attempt to delay the lawful proceedings”. The ED has also added that Choksi has already been given several opportunities to cooperate in the probe but he so far only evaded questioning.
The ED also added that Choksi has claimed that his assets worth Rs 6129 crores have been seized, but it is wrong and the ED has only attached properties worth 2100 crores during its investigation.
The probing agency also stated that Choksi’s claim of ill health is a ruse to evade questioning and if needed, they will provide an air ambulance with the best medical facilities and doctors to bring Choksi back from Antigua. The ED has also offered to provide all necessary medical facilities to Choksi once he lands in India.
The ED has also requested the court to direct Choksi to file an affidavit declaring his intention to return to India within a month.“In his affidavit, he should mention the exact date of his intended return,” submitted the probing agency.
Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi are the two main accused in the 13,000 crores PNB scam. While Nirav Modi has been arrested by UK authorities and the attempts for his extradition are already on, Choksi had taken the citizenship of the Carribean nation under an investment program. In January, Choksi had surrendered his Indian passport and had given up Indian citizenship.
On December 13, 2018, the International Police Organisation (Interpol) has issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Mehul Choksi on the request of the CBI. Interpol had also issued RCNs against Nirav Modi, his Belgian national sister Purvi Modi and brother Nishal Modi in relation to the scam.