>Pachu Kannan: Reverting edit(s) by Jay.H.Popat (talk) to rev. 1045599677 by Isabelle Belato: Vandalism (RW 16.1)

2021-10-13T12:24:06Z

Reverting edit(s) by Jay.H.Popat (talk) to rev. 1045599677 by Isabelle Belato: Vandalism (RW 16.1)

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{{Short description|Fugitive businessman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mehul Choksi
| birth_name = Mehul Chinubhai Choksi
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|05|05|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Mumbai|Bombay]], India
| nationality = Indian (1959–2017)
| citizenship = [[Antigua and Barbuda]] (2017–)
| education = G. D. Modi College
| occupation = Businessman
| known for = Alleged [[Punjab National Bank Scam|bank fraud]], wanted by Indian Judicial Authorities, Owner of [[Gitanjali Group]]
| criminal_charges = {{ubl|Criminal conspiracy|Criminal breach of trust|Cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property|Corruption|Money laundering}}
| criminal_status = Found and arrested in [[Dominica]]
| children = 3
| relatives = [[Nirav Modi]] (nephew)
}}

'''Mehul Chinubhai Choksi''' (born 5 May 1959) is a fugitive Indian-born businessman living in [[Antigua and Barbuda]], who is wanted by the Indian judicial authorities for [[Conspiracy (criminal)|criminal conspiracy]], criminal breach of trust, cheating and dishonesty including delivery of property, corruption and [[money laundering]]. In an interview,<ref name="ABP Live">{{cite web|url=https://www.abplive.in/videos/major-highlights-of-world-exclusive-interview-of-mehul-choksi-from-antigua-754043|title=Major highlights of world exclusive interview of Mehul Choksi from Antigua|date=11 September 2018|website=www.abplive.in|accessdate=18 September 2018}}</ref> Choksi claimed that he is innocent and all allegations against him are false, baseless and motivated by political expediency. Choksi holds Antiguan citizenship since 2017. He is the owner of [[Gitanjali Group]], a retail jewellery company with 4,000 stores in India.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43081499|title=Who is billionaire jeweller in fraud probe?|date=16 February 2018|accessdate=4 March 2018|work=BBC News}}</ref> An arrest warrant for Choksi has been issued in connection with the alleged [[Punjab National Bank Fraud Case, 2018|Punjab National Bank fraud case]].<ref name="FirstPost">{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/business/pnb-scam-india-can-seek-extradition-of-fugitive-mehul-choksi-without-red-corner-notice-says-cbi-5053521.html|title=PNB scam: India can seek extradition of fugitive Mehul Choksi without Red Corner Notice, says CBI|website=www.firstpost.com|date=27 August 2018|accessdate=18 September 2018}}</ref> He was allegedly involved in stock [[market manipulation]] in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/gitanjali-gems-chief-mehul-choksi-prime-securities-among-26-barred-from-stock-markets/33709.html|title=stock-markets}}</ref> In late May 2021, he had gone missing from Antigua and Barbuda. He was found and arrested in Dominica while trying to flee to Cuba in a boat. A Caribbean court has currently issued a stay on his repatriation from the Commonwealth of Dominica.

==Early life==
Mehul Choksi was born on 5 May 1959 in [[Mumbai|Bombay]],<ref name="livemint.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/iYrJGKzYKzRqNsiMvFm0YO/Mehul-Choksi--Miner-of-the-new-world.html|title=Mehul Choksi - Miner of the new world - Livemint|date=16 February 2008|website=www.livemint.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref> the son of Chinubhai Choksi.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/869392/the-rise-and-fall-of-mehul-choksis-sparkling-geetanjali-gems|title=The rise and fall of Mehul Choksi's sparkling Geetanjali Gems|first=Suneera Tandon|last=qz.com|website=scroll.in|accessdate= 4 March 2018}}</ref> He was educated at G. D. Modi College in [[Palanpur]], [[Gujarat]].<ref name="auto1"/> He has three children, a son and two daughters.<ref name="livemint.com"/> One of his daughters married Akash Mehta, an Antwerp-based diamond merchant in December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.weddingsutra.com/blog/mehul-choksis-daughter-weds-in-jodhpur/ |title = Mehul Choksi's daughter weds in Jodhpur|date = 4 February 2011}}</ref> Choksi is the maternal uncle of fugitive businessman [[Nirav Modi]].<ref name="bbc.co.uk" /><ref name="zeebiz.com">{{cite web|date=16 February 2018|title=Who is Mehul Choksi?|url=http://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-who-is-mehul-choksi-37353|website=zeebiz.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref>

His younger brother Chetan Chinubhai Choksi owned and operated a diamond company named Diminco NV, based in [[Antwerp]], which had defaulted on a US$25.8 million payment to a subsidiary of [[ICICI Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/mehuls-brother-a-bank-defaulter-too/articleshow/63050019.cms|title=Mehul Choksi's brother a bank defaulter too - Times of India|website=indiatimes.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref> In 2013, the bank litigated a lawsuit against Diminco NV, in commercial courts in Belgium and UK.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://theinjunctionsblog.com/worldwide-freezing-and-disclosure-relief-denied-in-aid-of-a-belgian-claim-in-an-application-under-section-25-civil-jurisdiction-and-judgments-act-1982/|title=Worldwide freezing and disclosure relief denied in aid of a Belgian claim, in an application under section 25 Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982|date=28 August 2014|work=The Injunctions Blog|accessdate=8 March 2018}}</ref>

==Career==
Choksi started his career in the gem and jewellery sector in 1975, and took over the leadership of Gitanjali Gems from his father in 1985, when it was focused on just rough and polished diamonds.<ref name="auto1"/> He owns [[Gitanjali Group]], which includes Gitanjali Gems.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/HFtgc5b17E0BVrwVVJL26I/Mehul-Choksi-claims-innocence-in-PNB-fraud-with-open-letter.html|title=Mehul Choksi claims innocence in PNB fraud with open letter|first=Swati|last=Bhat|date=25 February 2018|website=livemint.com|accessdate=4 March 2018}}</ref>

==Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case==
In March 2018, a special [[Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002|PMLA]] court issued non-bailable arrest warrants (NBWs) against Choksi, and his nephews [[Nirav Modi]] and Neeshal Deepak Modi, owner of Firestar Diamonds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/pnb-fraud-case-court-issues-non-bailable-warrants-against-mehul-choksi-nirav-modi/articleshow/63146634.cms|title=PNB fraud case: Court issues non-bailable warrants against Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi|first=Ram|last=Sahgal|date=3 March 2018|access-date=4 March 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times}}</ref> They are suspected of colluding with two employees of [[Punjab National Bank]] (PNB), the country's second-largest state-owned lender, in an alleged $1.8 billion fraud.<ref name="auto"/> At least six PNB staff and at least six employees of Choksi and Modi have been arrested so far.<ref name="auto"/> Choksi is a fugitive of [[Government of India|Indian government]]. Choksi has protested his innocence in an open letter.<ref name="auto"/> On 6 March 2018, the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] detained Vipul Chitalia, the Vice-President of Gitanjali Group of Companies and a key aide of Choksi. Chitalia was arrested at [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport|Mumbai airport]] and remained in custody till March 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/pnb-fraud-gitanjali-groups-vice-president-vipul-chitalia-detained-by-cbi/article22940410.ece|title=PNB fraud: Gitanjali Group's vice-president Vipul Chitalia detained by CBI|work=@businessline|accessdate=7 March 2018}}</ref> A designated PMLA authority held that 41 properties worth about Rs 1,210 crore, attached by the [[Enforcement Directorate]] (ED) in the name of Mehul Choksi and his associated firms, are money laundering assets and ordered that their attachment should continue. The central probe agency provisionally attached 15 flats and 17 office premises in [[Mumbai]], a mall in [[Kolkata]], a four-acre farm house in [[Alibag|Alibaug]] and 231 acres of land at locations like [[Nashik]], [[Nagpur]], [[Panvel]] in [[Maharashtra]] and [[Viluppuram|Villupuram]] in [[Tamil Nadu]], in February 2018 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the about US$2 billion alleged fraud at a Mumbai-based branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/mehul-choksi-apos-properties-money-112006086.html|title=Mehul Choksi's Properties Are Money Laundering Assets: PMLA Authority|accessdate=2 September 2018}}</ref>

On 7 January 2018, Choksi left India to the [[Caribbean]] nation of [[Antigua and Barbuda]]. A few days later, the PNB scam was disclosed. On 15 January, he took the oath of citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, where he applied for the citizenship in November 2017 under the country's Citizenship by Investment program.<ref name=":0" /> However, Indian authorities argue that he has not renounced his [[Indian nationality law|Indian citizenship]].<ref name="Times of India">{{Cite news|date=8 June 2021|title=We moved to rescind Mehul Choksi's citizenship for 'false de declaration': Antigua minister|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/we-moved-to-rescind-mehul-choksis-citizenship-for-false-declaration-antigua-minister/articleshow/83348747.cms|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="NDTV">{{Cite news|last=Sharma|first=Neeta|date=2 June 2021|title=Mehul Choksi Has Not Renounced Citizenship, India To Argue In Dominica|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-has-not-renounced-citizenship-india-to-argue-in-dominica-2454197|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> On 17 June, his lawyer informed the [[Bombay High Court]] that he left [[India]] for medical check-up and not to avoid prosecution in the case.<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 June 2019|title=Left India for Medical Treatment: Mehul Choksi Tells Bombay HC|work=Yahoo News|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/left-india-medical-treatment-mehul-160754018.html|url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619005204/https://in.news.yahoo.com/left-india-medical-treatment-mehul-160754018.html|archive-date=19 June 2019}}</ref> Ever since, CBI has been trying to extradite him back to India.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|date=26 May 2021|title=Fugitive Jeweller Mehul Choksi's Dramatic Capture After Escape By Boat|work=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-while-trying-to-flee-to-cuba-sources-2449916|url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527075759/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-while-trying-to-flee-to-cuba-sources-2449916|archive-date=27 May 2021}}</ref>

On 23 May 2021, Choksi had gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda. He was last seen around 5:15 pm on 23 May before leaving his home in a car which has been recovered by the police in [[Jolly Harbour]] area.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=May 25|first1=Vijay Tagore / TNN / Updated|last2=2021|last3=Ist|first3=08:55|title=PNB scam: Mehul Choksi goes missing in Antigua, may have fled to Cuba {{!}} Mumbai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/pnb-scam-mehul-choksi-goes-missing-from-antigua-may-have-fled-to-cuba/articleshow/82928529.cms|access-date=2021-05-25|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> A probe has been launched to look for him. It was reported that he may have fled to [[Cuba]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pandey|first=Manish Chandra|date=25 May 2021|title=Mehul Choksi goes missing, may have fled Antigua and reached Cuba, local police launch probe|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mehul-choksi-missing-fled-antigua-reached-cuba-1806563-2021-05-25|url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525143752/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mehul-choksi-missing-fled-antigua-reached-cuba-1806563-2021-05-25|archive-date=25 May 2021}}</ref> On 26 May, he was found in a nearby Caribbean country of [[Dominica]] while trying to flee to Cuba by a boat and is held by the local police.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=27 May 2021|title=Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi held in Dominica: Local media|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-local-media-7331736/|url-status=live|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527083903/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fugitive-businessman-mehul-choksi-captured-in-dominica-local-media-7331736/|archive-date=27 May 2021}}</ref> This flee attempt would make CBI's case of extraditing him to India in Antiguan courts stronger.<ref name=":1" /> His lawyer claimed that Choksi was kidnapped by whom Choksi believed to be [[Law enforcement in India|Indian]] and [[Law enforcement of Antigua and Barbuda|Antiguan police]] and brought to Dominica by a boat. He also claimed that Choksi had a swollen eye and several bruises when he met Choksi.<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 May 2021|title=Mehul Choksi alleges kidnapping; lawyer says he is non-Indian, can't be repatriated|work=Financial Express|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-kidnapping-dominica-antigua-and-barbuda-india-repatriation-latest-update/2260542/|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530141639/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/mehul-choksi-kidnapping-dominica-antigua-and-barbuda-india-repatriation-latest-update/2260542/|archive-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> The High Court of Justice Commonwealth of Dominica has currently issued a stay order on his repatriation from the country.<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 May 2021|title=Caribbean court stays Mehul Choksi's deportation from Dominica|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/caribbean-court-stays-mehul-choksis-repatriation-from-dominica/articleshow/83026308.cms|access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>

On 29 May 2021, Choksi's pictures were surfaced by Antiguan media. In the pictures, Choksi sustained several injuries to his left hand and the left eye is bruised and swollen.<ref>{{Cite news|date=30 May 2021|title=Mehul Choksi's pictures from Dominica surface, show him with injury marks|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/mehul-choksis-pictures-from-dominica-surface-show-him-with-injury-marks/articleshow/83079601.cms|url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530141426/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/mehul-choksis-pictures-from-dominica-surface-show-him-with-injury-marks/articleshow/83079601.cms|archive-date=30 May 2021}}</ref> Several Indian agencies were in touch with the [[Politics of Dominica|Dominican government]] using diplomatic channels urging that he is an Indian citizen and that he had an [[Interpol notice|Interpol Red Corner notice]] and he should be handed over to the Indian authorities. The opposition parties [[United Workers' Party (Dominica)|United Workers' Party]] of Dominica and [[United Progressive Party (Antigua and Barbuda)|United Progressive Party]] of Antigua and Barbuda are allegedly utilising this opportunity to support him against his deportation to India, in return for campaign funding.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=30 May 2021|title=Hand over Mehul Choksi, he is our citizen: India tells Dominica|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/hand-over-mehul-choksi-he-is-our-citizen-india-tells-dominica-121053000162_1.html|access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref>

In early June 2021, Choksi filed an affidavit in the High Court of Dominica claiming there was no arrest warrant against him when he left India in January 2018 seeking medical treatment in the [[United States|USA]]. He also stated that he has no intentions of absconding from attending the court and that he doesn't intend to leave Dominica. He claimed medical issues and fear for his health in his bail petition.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 June 2021|title=Left India only for medical treatment, claims fugitive Mehul Choksi in Dominica court|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/left-india-only-for-medical-treatment-claims-fugitive-mehul-choksi-in-dominica-court/articleshow/83300022.cms|access-date=10 June 2021}}</ref> Antiguan Information Minister Melford Nicholas stated that they moved to rescind his Antiguan citizenship on the basis that he provided false information while applying for the citizenship. Choksi has challenged it in the court.<ref name="Times of India"/>

==See also==
* [[List of fugitives from justice who disappeared]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Choksi, Mehul}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Mumbai]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted by India]]
[[Category:Indian fraudsters]]
[[Category:Gitanjali Group]]

Mehul Choksi - Revision history

>Pachu Kannan: Reverting edit(s) by Jay.H.Popat (talk) to rev. 1045599677 by Isabelle Belato: Vandalism (RW 16.1)