Mehul Choksi, fugitive, and wanted by the Indian government in the relation to PNB scam, has released a statement through his lawyer, explaining why he took the citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda. He states in the letter that, “I lawfully applied to be registered a as a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment Program. During the course of my application I did all that was lawfully required of me to do. My application for citizen ship was in due course approved.”
Mehul Choksi, and Nirav Modi were investigated by the Enforcement Directorate for allegedly cheating Rs 13,400 crore from Punjab National Bank, in the guise of loans and with the help of employees inside the company.
Mehul and Nirav both ran out of the country to evade being captured by the authorities, as they were beginning to get investigated. However, Mehul is now alleging that he took up the citizen ship of Antigua and Barbuda purely for expanding his business.
“My application was motivated by my desire to expand my business interests in the Caribbean and to obtain visa free travel access to 130 or so countries . That remains my reason for choosing to become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.”
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