‘His pockets is full’: PNB rip-off whistleblower on Mehul Choksi’s India extradition after arrest in Belgium

NEW DELHI: Punjab Nationwide Financial institution rip-off whistleblower Hariprasad SV on Monday raised doubts on fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi’s possibilities of being extradited to India, citing Choksi’s entry to high authorized help in Europe. His reflection on considerations of convey him again to India got here after 65-year-old absconding diamond service provider was arrested in Belgium on Saturday.
Talking to ANI, Hariprasad recalled how Choksi had earlier managed to flee authorized proceedings when he was detained in Dominica. “Extradition just isn’t a simple job. Choksi’s pockets is full, and he’ll make use of the perfect attorneys in Europe to keep away from the method like what Vijay Mallya has been doing. I do not assume it’ll be straightforward for India to get him again,” he stated.
“When he was caught in Antigua (Dominica) and different islands, he might handle to get out of it as a result of he has a fleet of attorneys. However I want and hope that this time, the Indian authorities will succeed,” Hariprasad added.
He additionally identified that over 100 franchises have been allegedly defrauded by Choksi, a lot of which had filed circumstances in varied Indian cities. “Even I acquired his arrest warrant from Bangalore police, however nothing actually occurred as he was sensible sufficient to get away from the clutches of legislation,” the PNB rip-off whistleblower stated.
Highlighting the challenges forward, he stated, “The authorized system in India is undoubtedly very nice, however the extradition course of depends upon the nation we’re coping with. This case just isn’t going to be straightforward, as he has a lot cash.”
Hariprasad had first raised pink flags concerning the rip-off in a letter to the Prime Minister’s Workplace on July 26, 2016, flagging suspicious entries in stability sheets and warning of a possible large-scale fraud.
In the meantime, sources confirmed that Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after native authorities verified his presence. Preparations are reportedly underway for his extradition to India.
Nonetheless, Choksi is making ready for a authorized battle. His defence crew is predicted to hunt bail and problem the extradition course of. The authorized crew has cited his well being situation and different elements as grounds for opposing the request.
Choksi fled India on January 2, 2018. He’s needed by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged position in almost Rs 14,000 crore Punjab Nationwide Financial institution fraud, alongside along with his nephew, Nirav Modi.