Modi govt to get PNB scam-accused Mehul Choksi extradited by next week?

New Delhi: There is a strong buzz in political circles that a secret operation has been planned to bring back economic offenders who left India after committing scams worth crores with the connivance of bank officials. Rumours suggest PNB scam-accused Mehul Choksi will be extradited to India.

According to media reports, a special flight of Air India, equipped with security officers and investigators, have left the country to bring back Choksi.

In 2017, Choksi had taken Antiguan citizenship, emboldened by a clearance from Mumbai Police. He is the main accused, along with his relative Nirav Modi, in the PNB scam. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), is currently looking for them.

So far, assets worth Rs 4,500 crores have been seized and attached by the investigating agencies. Reportedly, the operation will be completed by next week.

Choksi and Nirav are being probed also under various criminal laws after their fraud came to light. It is alleged that the two cheated the PNB to the tune of over Rs 13,000 crore.

Last year, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had met her Antigua and Barbuda counterpart EP Chet Greene on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, and had raised the issue of extradition of Choksi who is currently in the Caribbean island.

Greene had said that his government would fully cooperate in Choksi’s extradition.

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