Fugitive diamond tycoon Mehul Choksi, wanted in India for his alleged role in the $1.8 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, has reignited controversy by accusing the Indian government of orchestrating his abduction from Antigua in 2021. Choksi, who is currently fighting extradition in European courts, made these explosive claims during a hearing at London’s High Court, where he has filed a civil suit against the Indian state and several individuals he alleges were involved in the incident.
Allegations of Kidnapping and Forced Confession:
Choksi’s legal team argued before the London court that the Indian government had both the “motivation and resources” to execute a covert operation to forcibly remove him from Antigua and Barbuda, where he had acquired citizenship after fleeing India in 2018. According to Choksi, the alleged abduction was an attempt to bypass legitimate extradition proceedings and to extract a false confession implicating both himself and the Indian political opposition.
He claims that in May 2021, he was lured to the residence of Barbara Jabarica in Antigua, where he was overpowered by a group of individuals. Choksi alleges that he was beaten and forcibly taken to Dominica by boat, where he was subsequently arrested by Dominican authorities for illegal entry. He further asserts that the operation was designed to pressure him into confessing to crimes he denies, and to implicate opposition figures in India, thus serving both legal and political objectives.
Choksi’s complaint names several individuals, including Hungarian national Barbara Jabarica, British Indians Gurmit Singh and Gurjit Singh Bhandal, and Gurdip Bath, a diplomat for St Kitts and Nevis, as participants in the abduction. He claims that two of his alleged abductors identified themselves as agents of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the country’s external intelligence agency, and subjected him to physical assault during the ordeal.
Indian Government Denies Involvement:
The Indian government has categorically denied all allegations of involvement in Choksi’s abduction. In legal filings presented to the London High Court, India’s legal counsel argued that there is “no evidence” linking Indian authorities to the events described by Choksi. The government has also challenged the jurisdiction of the British court, citing state immunity and diplomatic protocols.
India has maintained that its efforts to bring Choksi to justice have followed due legal process, including formal extradition requests to Antigua and Barbuda and now to Belgium, where Choksi was arrested earlier this year. Indian authorities continue to seek his return to face charges of fraud, bribery, and money laundering in connection with the massive PNB scam, which also involves his nephew, Nirav Modi, currently in custody in the UK.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Proceedings:
The case has drawn significant attention, not only for its dramatic allegations but also for its potential diplomatic and legal ramifications. Choksi’s claims of being kidnapped and tortured to extract a false confession raise serious questions about the conduct of international law enforcement and the boundaries of state action in pursuing fugitives abroad.
The London High Court has yet to decide whether it will proceed to a full trial or dismiss the case on grounds of state immunity. Meanwhile, Choksi remains in Europe, contesting India’s extradition requests and continuing to deny any wrongdoing in the PNB fraud case. His nephew, Nirav Modi, also maintains his innocence and remains in British custody as his own extradition case proceeds.
As legal battles unfold in London, Belgium, and the Caribbean, the Choksi affair remains a high-profile example of the complexities and controversies that can arise when international crime, politics, and diplomacy intersect. The outcome of these proceedings could set important precedents for how similar cases are handled in the future, both in India and globally.
