The story so far: Earlier this week, Dominica dropped criminal proceedings against diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who was accused of illegally entering the country in May 2021. Now wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his alleged role in the ₹13,578 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, he had shifted to Antigua and Barbuda in January 2018, days before the first case against him was registered.
What happened in Dominica?
On May 23, 2021, Mr. Choksi went missing from Antigua and Barbuda under mysterious circumstances. He later surfaced about 190 km away in Dominica, where he was detained on the charge of illegal entry. On May 27, 2021, the Dominican government confirmed his presence there. His family and lawyers alleged that he was abducted and taken to Dominica in a yacht, and had in that process, suffered injuries as well. In July 2021, a Dominica High Court allowed him to travel back to Antigua and Barbuda on bail for medical treatment. The Dominican government has now decided to drop all charges against him.
