Choksi can be detained without red corner notice: CBI

Rejecting the contention of Antiguan authorities, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has said that fugitive-billionaire Mehul Choksi can be detained even in the absence of an Interpol red corner notice.

In a communication to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier this month, the CBI had suggested the ministry to convey the same to the Antiguan authorities.

“The contention of Antiguan authorities that the only way the movement of Choksi could be restricted is through issue of a red corner notice is not legally sound, as primary objective of locating the subject has already been addressed," the CBI told the MEA.

According to sources, the CBI also said that having an red corner notice is of little value now as Antigua has already granted Choksi its citizenship.

While the purpose of an Interpol red corner notice is to locate an absconding accused, this has already been achieved in Choksi's case with the Antiguan government confirming that he is their citizen, they added.

The CBI has already written to its counterpart agency in Antigua for the provisional arrest of Choksi, who is wanted in connection with a multi-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case.

Meanwhile, Choksi has appealed to the Interpol to not issue any red corner notice against him, claiming that the accusations against him in the PNB fraud case were politically motivated.

In his plea before the Interpol, he has said that the Indian jail conditions are not good and violate the “human rights conditions.”

Choksi also expressed apprehension that he would not get a fair trial as it may get influenced due to a media hype over the case in India.

In its reply to the Interpol, the CBI has rejected Choksi's claims.

Choksi is currently located in the twin Caribbean islands of Antigua and Barbuda since he got its citizenship.