St John's, July 27:  Antigua's Prime Minister Gaston Browne, talking to news channel CNN News 18, said that the Indian Government has not written to Antigua regarding Mehul Choksi's extradition. He further said that neither the ED nor the CBI has written to the authorities in Antigua about the fugitive Indian jeweller, who is a co-accused in the Rs 13,400 crore Punjab National Bank Fraud case, along with Nirav Modi. Earlier in the day, Mehul Choksi issued a statement saying that he is in Antigua and that he has acquired a local passport there.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud accused Mehul Choksi has confirmed his Antigua citizenship in a statement issued by him. According to reports, Choksi has said in the statement, "I am a lawful citizen of Antigua." Choksi has also said that he had visited the United States in January this year to "undergo treatment" as he was "unwell". The government of Antigua has also confirmed Choksi's presence in the country.

"I lawfully applied to be registered as citizen of Antigua and Barbuda under the citizenship by investment program. My application was in due course approved. My application was motivated by my desire to expand my business interest," Choksi said in his statement.

The Antigua Government has also reportedly indicated that it may consider "a legitimate request" from India to send back Choski, the aide of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in its chargesheet in a Mumbai Court against alleged fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi, stated that Choksi is the "mastermind" behind the behemoth Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. Calling the fugitive businessman as the mastermind, the ED in its chargesheet added that it was Mehul Choksi who "designed" the entire scheme of fraud.

ED further levelled charges of money laundering on Choksi. It said in its charge sheet that it was Mehul Choksi who was responsible for the "movement of the money under the garb of import and export."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 27, 2018 06:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).