PNB scam: Gitanjali Gems promoter Mehul Choksi and Nirav Modi are wanted by probe agencies
Diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted for a Rs 13,500 crore bank fraud along with his nephew Nirav Modi, has moved to Antigua and got a local passport, reported news agency Press Trust of India, quoting sources.
The two men and their families skipped the country in January this year -- a fortnight before the huge fraud at the Punjab National Bank surfaced. Investigation agencies have been on the lookout for them since. Nirav Modi is said to be in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
Non-bailable warrants were issued against them, after which the Interpol issued a "red corner" notice - close to an international arrest warrant.
After another Interpol notice, the Antiguan authorities informed the Enforcement Directorate that Mehul Choksi arrived there this month and has taken the passport of that country, reported PTI.
Last month, Centre's probe agency Enforcement Directorate told a Mumbai court that both should be declared as "fugitive economic offenders" and their assets worth Rs. 3,500 crore, spread across India, UK and United Arab Emirates, confiscated.
Mehul Choksi has refused to return to India, saying he would be killed by mobs if he was brought back.
His appeal for a cancellation of the non-bailable warrants against him, read: "There have been various cases of mob lynching in India... Even the applicant faces a similar threat as there are several persons who have grievances and anger against him (Mehul Choksi)."
The application said Mehul Choksi is concerned that his former employees and debtors may harm him, and he would not be safe in jail from other inmates either.
Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi came under the radar of Central investigation agencies after Punjab Bank officials found they allegedly cheated the bank of more than Rs. 13,400 crore over seven years with the connivance of some of the employees.