Fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi has dropped his multimillion-pound damages claim against the Indian government and others in the London High Court over his alleged abduction from Antigua in 2021. The court has ordered him to pay £677,000 towards the legal costs of parties involved in the case.
What Had Mehul Choksi Alleged?
Choksi had alleged that the Indian government conspired with several individuals, including Hungarian national Barbara Jarabik, to unlawfully kidnap and torture him and extrajudicially render him to India through Dominica.
The alleged incident took place on May 23, 2021, when Choksi disappeared from Antigua and was subsequently found in Dominica. He had claimed that he was abducted as part of an operation linked to Indian authorities.
The Indian government denied allegations of kidnapping and extrajudicial rendition. It also disputed the jurisdiction of the UK courts and invoked state immunity in the proceedings.
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Why Did Choksi Drop the Case?
Choksi has now dropped his multimillion-pound damages claim against the Indian government and other parties involved in the London High Court proceedings.
The available information does not specify why he decided to abandon the claim.
The development brings an end to his damages claim based on the alleged 2021 attempt to take him from Antigua to India through Dominica.
How Much Has the Court Ordered Choksi to Pay?
Justice Mansfield ordered Choksi to pay a total of £677,000 towards legal costs.
Of this, £425,000 was ordered to be paid in security costs for Gurjit Brar and Leslie Farrow-Guy. A further £252,000 was awarded towards the legal fees of Gurmit Singh and Gurjit Singh Bhandal.
The judge also noted that much of Choksi’s evidence was hearsay and was not supported by independent witness testimony.
Where Is Mehul Choksi Now?
Choksi is currently in jail in Antwerp, Belgium, where he is appealing an extradition order to India.
He is wanted in India in connection with the Punjab National Bank fraud case involving fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi and his companies.
The court development comes as Indian authorities continue efforts to pursue accused persons based overseas in high-profile financial crime cases.
What Happened in the Nirav Modi-Linked Case?
In a separate development, the Central Bureau of Investigation secured the deportation of Sandeep Mistry from the UAE to India in connection with the Nirav Modi-PNB fraud case.
Mistry was the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and was allegedly involved in managing day-to-day operations of entities linked to the fraud.
Investigators have accused him of destroying digital evidence using self-deleting communication platforms, forging import-export documentation for fake jewellery transactions and coercing dummy directors of offshore entities.
How Was Sandeep Mistry Brought Back to India?
The CBI, in coordination with Interpol and other agencies, had sought a Red Notice against Mistry and subsequently secured his deportation from the UAE to India in roughly two months.
His return is expected to assist the investigation into overseas operations and entities allegedly used in the Nirav Modi-linked fraud case.
The two developments reflect continuing efforts by Indian agencies to pursue fugitives and accused persons located overseas in major financial crime cases.
Choksi’s decision to abandon his damages claim leaves him facing a £677,000 legal costs order while he separately contests extradition to India from Belgium. The development also comes as Indian investigators continue efforts to bring overseas accused persons back to the country in major financial fraud cases.
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