Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi captured in Dominica

New Delhi, May 27 (PTI): Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi’s adventurous escape through the waters from a Caribbean island ended abruptly and dramatically as he was captured in Dominica.
The Antigua Observer has reported that Choksi is currently in custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Dominica. His disappearance was reported to the authorities by a family member. Choksi, 63, is involved in the Rs 12,000 crore PNB scam and is wanted in India for charges of fraud.
He went missing on Sunday following which a manhunt was launched by the Antigua police.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne had said that he may have fled through a waterway as there was no information of him flying out of the country.
Following this, the Antigua government sent out notices to different counties seeking his whereabouts. There was also a request made to the Interpol to issue a Yellow Notice.
Sources said that Choksi may have been apprehended on Tuesday night in Dominica following the Interpol alert.
They added that the authorities in Dominica are making efforts to hand over the fugitive to Antigua. Choksi had received Antigua citizenship in 2017 but the island’s government challenged the same, resulting in the matter ending up in the courts.
Prime Minister Browne recently said his government will revoke his citizenship, which he had secured via the investment route.
“We’ll not accept him back. He made a monumental error by skipping the island. Dominican govt & law enforcement are cooperating & we have informed Indian govt to have him repatriated to India,” Browne told a news agency in an interview. When TOI contacted Antigua and Barbuda foreign minister Paul Chet Greene, he said he is awaiting confirmation on the capture.
“I continue to get these unofficial reports and am unable to confirm. As soon as I am able to verify I will advise,” he said on Wednesday night.