Eastern Caribbean SC Grants Medical Bail To Mehul Choksi

Who is Mehul Choksi

• Mehul Choksi is an Indian fugitive jeweler who is involved in a Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case of Rs. 13,500 Crore.
• He had been residing in Antigua as a citizen since 2018.

Previous Proceedings

• He went missing from Antigua and was caught in Dominica where proceedings were initiated against his illegal entry into Dominica.
• The accused requested for judicial review in the abuse of judicial process in the Magistrate Court’s proceedings.
• He was granted interim relief from repatriation to India.
• The previous bail petition was denied by the Court as the Court was skeptical of him absconding again.

Petitioner’s Plea

• The arrest had been dictated by the Indian representatives and the proceedings cannot be continued with.
• The case was filed against the Minister of Caribbean Nation along with the Police Chief and Investigating Officer.
• The illegal entry charges on him were null and void as it was a violation of the law.
• He was allegedly kidnapped from Antigua and forcibly brought in to Dominica.

Court’s Observation

• The Dominican High Court granted bail owing to his neurological condition’s treatment.
• A consent order by the State’s lawyer and the Defence team was granted which allowed him to travel to Antigua for treatment.
• Bail money of Eastern Caribbean $ 10,000 was to be deposited for the medical bail.
• The trial before Magistrate for his illegal entry into the country was stayed till his return.
• The order acted as a huge setback for the Indian Government.

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