DOMINICA: Mehul Choksi, the diamantaire sought by Indian authorities in connection with a fraud over $13,000 billion, cannot be extradited, the Antigua and Barbuda High Court said on April 14.

Mehul Choksi, the plaintiff, has argued in his civil lawsuit that the Attorney General of Antigua and the Chief of Police have a duty to conduct a thorough investigation and that he has a plausible claim that he was subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This is according to Dominica-based Nature Isle News.

Mr. Choksi has requested relief, including a declaration that says he is entitled to a timely and thorough investigation into the events surrounding his forceful removal from Antigua and Barbuda on or about May 23, 2021.  Choksi has demanded an investigation into his accusations.

Without a High Court decision following an inter-party hearing and subject to the claimant (Mehul Choksi) exhausting all available legal options, including appeals, the court order forbids the departure of the claimant from Antigua and Barbuda's territory.

"Furthermore, or alternatively, a Declaration that the first Defendant is to set up an impartial judicial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the Claimant's (Mehul Choksi's) forcible abduction and deportation from the jurisdiction of Antigua and Barbuda on or about 23 May 2021. The court ruling stated: "A Declaration that the second Defendant has a duty to certify to the Dominican police that the evidence supports that the Claimant was taken to Dominica against his will and forcibly removed from the jurisdiction."

The 63-year-old diamantaire is sought in India in relation to a fraud involving the Punjab National Bank (PNB) that cost Rs. 13,000 crore.

According to the CBI's statement, it is still dedicated to bringing fugitives and offenders back to India so they can face the criminal justice system there.

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