‘His wallet is full’: PNB scam whistleblower on Mehul Choksi’s India extradition after arrest in Belgium

Mehul Choksi (AP file photograph)

NEW DELHI: Punjab National Bank scam whistleblower Hariprasad SV on Monday raised doubts on fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi’s probabilities of being extradited to India, citing Choksi’s entry to prime authorized help in Europe. His reflection on considerations of deliver him again to India got here after 65-year-old absconding diamond service provider was arrested in Belgium on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, Hariprasad recalled how Choksi had earlier managed to flee authorized proceedings when he was detained in Dominica. “Extradition is not an easy task. Choksi’s wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Mallya has been doing. I don’t think it is going to be easy for India to get him back,” he stated.
Also learn: From Antigua to Belgium: Will fugitive Mehul Choksi lastly be extradited to India?
“When he was caught in Antigua (Dominica) and other islands, he could manage to get out of it because he has a fleet of lawyers. But I wish and hope that this time, the Indian government will succeed,” Hariprasad added.
He additionally identified that over 100 franchises had been allegedly defrauded by Choksi, a lot of which had filed instances in numerous Indian cities. “Even I got his arrest warrant from Bangalore police, but nothing really happened as he was smart enough to get away from the clutches of law,” the PNB scam whistleblower stated.
Highlighting the challenges forward, he stated, “The legal system in India is undoubtedly very great, but the extradition process depends on the country we are dealing with. This case is not going to be easy, as he has so much money.”
Hariprasad had first raised crimson flags concerning the scam in a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office on July 26, 2016, flagging suspicious entries in stability sheets and warning of a possible large-scale fraud.
Meanwhile, sources confirmed that Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday after native authorities verified his presence. Preparations are reportedly underway for his extradition to India.
However, Choksi is making ready for a authorized battle. His defence staff is anticipated to hunt bail and problem the extradition course of. The authorized staff has cited his well being situation and different components as grounds for opposing the request.
Choksi fled India on January 2, 2018. He is wished by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged position in practically Rs 14,000 crore Punjab National Bank fraud, alongside along with his nephew, Nirav Modi.