India May Soon Get PNB Scam Accused Mehul Choksi As Antigua Revokes His Citizenship

Mehul Choksi, one of India's most wanted fugitives could soon be extradited back to face the law in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam.

The development comes after the Prime Minister of Antiguan, where Choksi had been living since his fled India, said his government is revoking the diamond trader's citizenship.

"His citizenship was processed; he got through but the reality is his citizenship will be revoked and he will be repatriated to India; so there is recourse," the Antigua Observer reported, quoting Prime Minister Gaston Brown.

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He also stated that Choksi can be extradited to India after he exhausts all legal options in his country.

He had originally applied for citizenship of Antigua in November 2017 was granted in January 2018.

Choksi had earlier claimed that he took the citizenship for business purposes and it was obtained legally.

He had earlier approached the court seeking the quashing of the FIR against him and claimed that his medical condition did not allow him to travel to India to face trial.

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The Bombay High Court has asked specialists from JJ Hospital to submit a report on whether Choksi is fit to travel to Mumbai to stand trial in the PNB scam.

Meanwhile, Nirav Modi who was arrested by the Scotland Yard in March continues to be in jail after the courts rejected his bail application.

India is also trying to get Modi extradited from the UK to face trial in India.

Both Choksi and Modi are accused of defrauding the PNB for over Rs 13,500 crore.