Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the multi-crore Punjab National Bank scam, moved a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court in Mumbai on Monday seeking cancellation of the non-bailable warrants issued against him. Choksi claimed that he fears being lynched by a mob if he is brought to India, PTI reported.
Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused of defrauding the Punjab National Bank of over Rs 13,000 crore. In March, the special court had issued non-bailable warrants against Choksi after the Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet against him. Earlier this month, the agency moved the court seeking to confiscate the attached assets of Choksi and Modi, and declare the two as fugitives under a new ordinance.
Choksi, in an application filed before the court, also claimed that he faces a threat to his life, from his former employees and debtors if he is brought back to India.
“As it became impossible for the applicant’s company [Gitanjali Gems] to function and the employees were not paid their salaries and debtors did not get their money back, all these persons have become agitated against the applicant and he is now facing threat to his life,” Choksi’s application read. “There have been various cases of mob lynching in India. This recent trend of mob lynching and general public giving justice on the road is growing. Even the applicant faces a similar threat.”
The application also claims that the businessman has complied with the demands of the investigating agencies. It also says that Choksi’s ill health and the revocation of his passport prevent him from returning to India.
The special court directed the Enforcement Directorate to file its reply to Choksi’s plea, and said the case will be heard next on August 18.
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