The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has said that no request has been made for an Indian billionaire who is on the run with an Antigua and Barbuda passport.
Mehul Choksi who acquired Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in November last year, and who swore allegiance to the country in January 2018, has since been identified as a person of interest who is accused of wrongdoing in his country of birth since the acquisition.
According to the government, the new citizen of Antigua and Barbuda has not been charged with any crime, neither has any request been made of the Antigua and Barbuda Government for any action to be taken against the national.
“However, the Cabinet has decided that should any request be made by the Indian government, every effort within the law will be made to honour a legitimate request. Antigua and Barbuda and India do not have an extradition agreement.”
Mehul Choksi came under the radar of Central investigation agencies after Punjab Bank officials found they allegedly cheated the bank of more than Rs. 13,400 crore (or USD 49,582,800,600) over seven years with the connivance of some of the employees.
The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) said that Mr. Choksi’s application was subject to, “Robust due diligence international investigation, which is conducted on each principal applicant and dependent, by reputable agencies, including the International Criminal Police Organization and the CARICOM Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).”
“The 2017 investigation revealed no derogatory information about Mr. Choksi. The CIU also confirms that on 15th January, 2018 Mr. Choksi swore the Oath of Allegiance in Antigua, a requirement under the provisions of the Citizenship by Investment Act.”
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
This is the hypocrisy of the media that I do not understand. As soon something goes wrong they blame the government. Yet they are the ones demanding that the government put a board in place to distance themselves from the process. And when the board is in place they still run to the politicians for answers and to take action.
I always tell folks I have no problem taking accountability for things but then gives me also full authority to do what I think is right. Where the hell is the board to respond to the media on this. Raking up large board fees and taking no responsibility.
Comments are closed.