Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is in New York for the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), had spoken with her Antiguan counterpart on the extradition of Mehul Choksi, prime accused in the Punjab National Bank scam.
According to the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, Antigua and Barbuda have assured India for all the cooperation in extraditing fugitive jewellery Mehul Choksi as soon as the legal formalities and court procedures are over.
Foreign Minister Chet Greene, assured Swaraj of all cooperation but Antigua would first examine legal procedures.
“EAM @SushmaSwaraj met the Foreign Minister of Antigua & Barbuda Chet Greene on the sidelines of #UNGA. Mr. Greene conveyed to EAM the assurances of his Prime Minister for the fullest cooperation of their Government in the matter of extradition of Mehul Choksi to India,” Kumar tweeted.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Swaraj, during the bilateral meeting, conveyed to Chet Green that there was immense expectation in India regarding Choksi’s extradition, since he fled the country after committing a massive fraud.
Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India over his alleged involvement in a scheme that defrauded Punjab National Bank worth Rs 13400 crore, has reportedly taken the citizenship of the Caribbean island nation.
