New Delhi: To nab fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choski, the Indian envoy to Antigua has met authorities of the Carribean nation to press for the release of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choski. He is accused of the multi-crore Punjab National Bank fraud in India.

 “As soon as MEA received information of the likely presence of Mehul Choksi in Antigua, our high commission in Georgetown had alerted the A&B government, in writing and verbally, to confirm his presence in their territory and detain him and prevent his movement by land, air or sea,” a person familiar with the development said.

“We continue to liaise with relevant GOI agencies and the Government of Antigua & Barbuda to follow up on this matter,” the person added.

Choksi is wanted in the case of Prevention of Money Laundering Act and his passport was revoked in February 2018. India has already written to the Antigua government on this.

Choksi has claimed he has decided to reside in Antigua and Barbuda which is his country of “citizenship” and “abide by laws of the country” even as the Prime Minister of the Caribbean country told the media that his administration will fully cooperate with the Indian government.

His lawyer in the Caribbean country issued a statement claiming that the fugitive diamond merchant is still there. The statement also claims that Choksi has lawfully applied to be registered as a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment Program.

He got the citizenship in November 2017 but took the oath of allegiance on January 15 this year, only 15 days before the CBI registered its first FIR in the PNB scam.