A Dominica Court on Thursday rejected the bail application of fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi for illegally entering the island nation from Antigua. Choksi had gone missing in Antigua and Barbuda after which the local police had launched a manhunt to trace him. India’s most wanted fugitive in connection with the Punjab National Bank loan fraud case, was captured from Dominica while trying to flee to Cuba from Antigua.

Choksi, who appeared before the magistrate court on a wheel chair in a blue T-shirt and black shorts, submitted that he was allegedly kidnapped into the Island. He, however pleaded not guilty for the alleged crimes before the court.

Various non-nationals in Dominica are on bail for similar matters, so we are of the view that bail can be granted to our client. Let stringent conditions be added to the bail condition including a bail sum of $ 10,000 double the maximum penalty for illegal entry, Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal argued in court.

Aggarwal said they will move to the upper court to challenge the court order.

The Dominica government contended that bail should not be granted to Choksi, who is wanted in India in an alleged ₹ 13,500 crore loan fraud case, as he is a flight risk.

Choksi has no ties in Dominica hence it would serve him no purpose not to flee the island if bail is granted. Choksi has an Interpol Red Notice against him as he is facing charges for 11 offences in India, read a statement from the Dominica government.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne had requested Dominican PM Roosevelt Skerrit and law enforcement in Dominica to not return Choksi to Antigua where he enjoys legal and constitutional protection as a citizen.

Read Also: Kerala assembly passes resolution asks Centre to provide free Covid vaccines to all states

Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are wanted in India for allegedly siphoning off  Rs 13,500 crore of public money from the state-run Punjab National Bank, using fake guarantees to secure overseas loans.

The post Dominica court denies bail to Mehul Choksi in illegal entry case appeared first on APN News.