Interpol panel to decide on pending RCN request against Mehul Choksi in October

Despite repeating request to issue Red Corner Notice (RCN) against the fugitive billionaire, Mehul Choksi, Interpol has not yet issued Red Corner Notice against him. Now the pending Red Corner notice will be taken up by an internal committee in October this year, as the Indian agencies have made a strong case against him.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seems to fear that even an Interpol notice against fugitive billionaire Mehul Choksi may not help to get him extradited to India. Interestingly, Interpol has issued RCN against other accused in the multi crore scam case, including Nirav Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mihir Bhansali and Subhash Parab. The interpool seems to have gone soft in regards to Mehul Choksi.

CBI has been trying to ensure that Mehul Choksi, who is one of the prime accused in Rs 13,500-crore Punjab National Bank fraud is sent back to the country. Unlike his nephew Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi seems to have planned his escape very thoroughly, an official from the agency said, PTI reported.

The CBI had currently requested for a Red Corner Notice against fugitive billionaire Mehul Choksi and is pursuing the case actively. It even gave a strong rebuttal to Mehul Choksi’s allegations that is charges levied against him are ‘politically motivated’.

While RCN was put on hold by the Interpol when Mehul Choksi had alleged that cases against him were politically motivated. He had also raised questions about the pathetic condition of Indian jails, his health and personal safety was among other reason tat he was concerned about.

Also read: PNB Scam: Mehul Choksi bought 41 assets with illegal money, says ED

“The CBI was swift to give a very strong rebuttal to the ‘baseless’ claims of the fugitive billionaire who is alleged to be the mastermind of India’s biggest financial fraud running into over $2 billion in Punjab National Bank,” the officials quoted.

The official further quoted as saying to PTI, “Now, the case has moved to a five-member Interpol committee court, called Commission for Control of Files, which will next month examine contentions of both the sides and give its ruling on the request for issuing a Red Corner Notice against Mehul Choksi.”

After Nirav Modi’s location was confirmed, an extradition request has also been sent against Nirav Modi. Mehul Choksi, on the other hand, was more cautious and seems to have hatched his post-escape plans well in advance. He took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda last year and took an oath of allegiance to that country on January 15 this year, after completing the nationality process, officials said.

The agency believed, Mehul Choksi is now subject to Antiguan laws and issuance of a Red Corner Notice will be of little help.

Also read: Interpol Issues red corner notice to Mihir R Bhansali, Nirav Modi’s Executive