Punjab National Bank fraud absconder Mehul Choksi has opposed the CBI’s plea to Interpol seeking a red corner notice against him on grounds that “conditions in Indian jails are not good”.
Choksi, one of the accused in the Rs 14000 crore PNB scam, has taken a leaf out of another business tycoon Vijay Mallya — who too is fighting extradition to India and complained of poor conditions in Indian prisons to avoid returning to the country.
Allegedly hiding in Antigua and Barbuda, Choksi claimed in his plea that the jails “violate human rights conditions,” said a report on Monday August 27 in a national tabloid. He also claimed that a media trial was on against him that might influence the judicial system.
“He has mentioned that he was being ‘clubbed along with his nephew Nirav Modi’ in the case and that accused in India don’t have the required legal protection. He also mentions a threat to his life, especially by his employees and franchisees,” an official told the daily on condition of anonymity.
Just last week, the UK confirmed the presence of Nirav Modi, who is also an accused in the PNB scam, in its territory. Mehul Choksi happens to be Nirav Modi’s maternal uncle.
