The removal of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi's name from the Interpol database of Red Notices has drawn condemnation from the Opposition parties in India, while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought the restoration of the notice. What is the case against Mehul Choksi? Mehul Choksi is the owner of Gitanjali Group, a jewellery firm with 4,000 stores in India. He, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, are wanted in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. Choksi and Modi are accused of conniving with bank officials to have fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoU) and Foreign Letters of Credit issued to companies owned by them. In this case, no securities were kept by the PNB before issuing the LoUs. The case came to light in January 2018, when the PNB submitted a fraud report to the Reserve Bank of India. CBI filed an FIR in the case a week later. By this time, Choksi had already fled the country. Choksi is wanted in India for criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and financial misappropriation. An arrest warrant has been issued against him. Choksi had acquired citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in 2017 and was living there from 2018. However, he went missing from Antigua and Barbuda on May 23, 2021, and was soon caught in Dominica. While Choksi claimed he was kidnapped, he was charged with illegal entry by the police in Dominica. In May last year, Dominica dropped these charges against him. What is an Interpol Red Notice? Criminals or suspects often flee to other countries to evade facing justice. A Red Corner Notice, or Red Notice (RN) alerts police forces across the world about fugitives who are wanted internationally. Interpol says “Red Notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.” RNs contain information that helps identify wanted persons, such as their names, dates of birth, nationality, and physical attributes such as the colour of their hair and eyes, as well as pictures and biometric data such as fingerprints, if they are available. RNs also mention the crime(s) they are wanted for. An RN is only an international wanted persons’ notice; it is not an international arrest warrant. Why was the Red Notice issued against Choksi? The Red Notice was issued against Choksi in December 2018 after a request from the CBI and Enforcement Directorate. His appeals against the decision were rejected in 2020. Why has it been revoked? Welcoming the Interpol's decision, Choksi's lawyer Vijay Aggarwal told ANI that the withdrawal of the Red Notice comes after the "genuine claim of kidnapping" by the fugitive diamantaire. "Ultimately, truth has prevailed as the kidnapping attempt of my client is not approved by the international community, RCN issued against my client by Interpol has been removed". What does the move mean for Choksi? The removal of the Red Notice means Choksi can travel around the world freely without any fear of being arrested by law enforcement agencies. The exception is India, where he faces multiple cases. This also weakens India's efforts to extradite him. What has the CBI said? The CBI said that the CCF's decision is "based on mere imaginary conjunctures and unproven surmises". It said the CCF has subsequently clarified to CBI that its decision in no manner has any determination on any guilt or innocence of Mehul Chinubhai Choksi for crimes he remains charged in India. What are the reactions to the withdrawal of the Red Notice? The Congress said that while the Opposition was being targeted by the Enforcement Directorate and CBI, the Central government's "friend" was being let off. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said talk of patriotism by those giving "protection" to such people is a "joke". In a tweet, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said, "'Vipaksh ko ED, CBI, Mitr ko rihaai' (ED, CBI for the Opposition, let off for friend)." "'Modani' model matlab pehle looto, phir bin sazaa ke chooto' (Modani model means first loot and then go scott-free without punishment)," he said. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala stated, "Modi Govt 'Red Faced' India by failing to prevent Mehul Choksi's removal from Interpol's List of Red Corner Notices!" Modi Govt ‘Red Faced’ India by failing to prevent Mehul Choksi’s removal from Interpol’s List of Red Corner Notices! ₹13,000 CR PNB Fraud now closed for “HAMARE BHAI MEHUL” ! People’s Money down the drain. ‘Line-Up’ of ED & CBI for Opp-Leaders, But ‘Lifeline’ to Mehul Choksi ! pic.twitter.com/g36TbXQKGZ — Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 21, 2023 Meanwhile, AAP's Raghav Chadha also hit out at the government for targeting the Opposition with fake cases, while Choksi lives scot-free. Name: Mehul Choksi Crime: 13,500 Cr bank fraud What did the BJP Govt do? - Gave NOC for his Antiguan Citizenship allowing him to escape freely Now Interpol has removed the red corner notice against him. Meanwhile, ED & CBI are busy targeting the opposition with fake cases. — Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) March 21, 2023
