Magistrate Pearl Williams has ordered that Antiguan citizen and businessman Mehul Choksi who is wanted in India for alleged bank fraud, be remanded at the Dominica State Prison despite a decline in his health.
Choksi, who pleaded not guilty to illegal entry into Dominica, was remanded into police custody at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) where he has been a patient since May 29, 2021.
On June 2, 2021, at Choksi’s first court hearing where the charge was read to him, the acting Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Sherma Dalyrample, made an application before the Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette George pursuant to section 212 of the Magistrate code of procedure, to have him brought before a Magistrate every three days to be further remanded until he is discharged from the hospital.
This application came under review by Magistrate Williams on June 11, however, she reserved her ruling as a bail application for Choksi was being heard in the High Court on the same day.
Today, the 62-year-old diamantaire was expected to appear before the court for reporting and further remand but his attorneys presented a medical report to the court which indicated that Choksi’s health has deteriorated and as a result, he was unable to attend.
However, Magistrate Williams ordered that Choksi be remanded at the State Prison as she stated, based on the law, she does not have the jurisdiction to remand the accused to the hospital every three days.
Dissatisfied with her decision, three of Choksi’s attorneys who were present in court – Julien Prevost, Zena Moore-Dyer and Gina Dyer-Munro– objected, claiming that their client is now in a bad state and the decision to remand him to the state prison is appalling as bleeding in the head is one of his conditions.
The attorneys argued that there must be a certain level of “humanity” in how the court operates and everyone should be treated fairly.
Despite the heated argument in court, Magistrate Williams remained resolute in her decision and said her order will stand. She said arrangements will be made for the court to visit the hospital for Choksi to be remanded at the prison.
Attorneys for Choksi said they will go to the High court to prevent the order.
Dominica News Online (DNO) will continue to follow the development of this story.
The Magistrate remanded Choksi until June 24, where he will appear before the court to be further remanded whilst his trial for illegal entry is expected to commence on June 25, 2021.
The matter of Habeas Corpus filed by Choksi’s attorneys in the High Court has been adjourned sine die.
The 62-year-old diamond tycoon who gained citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, is wanted by the Indian judicial authorities for allegedly cheating the Punjab National Bank of over two billion US dollars, one of India’s largest bank frauds in decades.
[Dominica News Online]
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This is a perfect description of the reasons we voted against the CCJ. Just look at how politicians are toying with the judiciary in Dominica. What is this so serious crime that Choksi committed that he has to be remanded? A simple case of illgal entry can’t be heard so long? One has to assume that if interference in the courts is so glaring in this matter, it must be the same for others and at the highest court as well. Isn’t clear why we voted against the CCJ in Antigua and Barbuda? The judiciary in these parts have smeared their black gowns with the same feces spewed by the politicians and we can smell it from miles away.
The Dominica judiciary is obviously free and independent. Pack up boy. You going home to sweet India. If you innocent, you have nothing to fear. Enjoy your stay at State Prison until you leave for home. India calling their citizen home. Sweet dreams.
This is bull … these heads of states in the Caribbean are criminals .. free choski .. bring him back to Antigua
magistrates full of shit,CCJ full of shit, corrupt politicians sleeping on bed with the judiciary,lawlessness….if it can happen to one citizen it can happen to all citizens.The rule of law must prevail at all times no for poor or rich,no matter the creed, race,gender,religion etc
Let’s hope if anything happens to him, he has all the evidence that will convict world dictator traitor tyrant liar Gaston Browne and the rest of his scumbag cabinet.
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