Dominica court stays Mehul Choksi's repatriation; lawyers file habeas corpus petition
Fugitive diamond jeweler Mehul Choksi, was arrested in the Caribbean island nation while trying to escape to Cuba from Antigua, where he had been living since 2018.
FollowA Dominica court has stayed the repatriation of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi. The order was issued by the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court on Thursday.
"This order is to be served immediately on the Defendants by email and fax and in person, and the Head of Immigration at the Douglas Charles Airport by email and fax," read the Court order. The court will hold the next hearing in the matter on May 28 (9 am local time).
The court passed the order after Mehul Choksi's legal team in Dominica filed a habeas corpus petition and pointed out that he was denied legal rights and was not permitted to meet his lawyers initially.
Fugitive diamond jeweler Mehul Choksi, was arrested in the Caribbean island nation while trying to escape to Cuba from Antigua, where he had been living since 2018.
Antigua Prime Minister Gaston Browne had asked Dominica to send him back to India directly but this has been contested by his lawyers, who claim that the wanted businessman cannot be sent to India as he is no longer a citizen of the country.
"Ultimately, it is the sovereign decision of the government of Dominica as to which country they repatriate Mehul Choksi unless the Court states otherwise," Browne told ANI.
Mehul Choksi's lawyer in Dominica, Wayne Marsh, had earlier stated that they were denied access to their client. He added that it was only on May 27 that Mehul Choksi was eventually allowed to speak to the fugitive businessman. In the plea, Marsh has alleged that his client sustained "marks of torture" on his body. He also claimed that Mehul Choksi was "forcefully picked up" from Antigua and Barbuda against his wishes.
Choksi, who is wanted in a Rs 13,500-crore loan fraud in the Punjab National Bank, was last seen going for dinner in his car in Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday.
His staff had reported him missing after his car was found.
On Thursday (Indian Time), the Dominica government confirmed his presence on its soil saying he has been “detained” for illegal entry.
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