Fugitive Mehul Choksi’s Bail Denied By Dominica Court, Hearing On Extradition Case Today

Dominica: The Dominica court has rejected the habeas corpus petition filed on behalf of businessman Mehul Choksi who had claimed that he was abducted and forcefully brought to the Caribbean island nation. The High Court of Dominica had earlier ordered that the businessman be produced in a magistrate court to answer charges of his illegal entry into the country and now the matter will be handled by the lower court as the next hearing is scheduled for June 14th.

Rejecting the submission of Choksi who is wanted in India in an alleged Rs 13,500 crore loan fraud case in Punjab National Bank, the prosecution said the habeas corpus petition does not stand as he had illegally entered the country and was subsequently detained.

The High Court will also hear the extradition case of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi today. 

Choksi mysteriously went missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying since 2018 as a citizen, but was detained in neighbouring Dominica for illegal entry after a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend.

However, his lawyers have alleged that the fugitive businessman was kidnapped from Jolly Harbour in Antigua by some officials and brought to Dominica. 

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne had said Dominica and law enforcement agencies, unless the court rules otherwise, can deport him to India because he is an Indian citizen.