Antigua: Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi is back in Antigua and Barbuda in Dominica after 52 days and has reiterated his claims accusing Indian law enforcement agencies of trying to kidnap him.
Releasing an explosive audio clip, he said he was contemplating returning to India but the incident in the past few weeks has left “permanent scars” and he will not return “despite contemplating it”.
“I am back home but this torture has left permanent scars on my psyche and on my soul, rather than permanent scars on my soul. I couldn’t imagine how to shut down all my businesses and confiscate all my assets. Afterwards, a kidnapping attempt will be made on me by Indian agencies,” he said in an audio clip.
In an audio message shared by his lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, Choksi said – “I am back home but this torture has left lasting marks on my psyche and physically, but also on my soul. I could never have imagined that after closing all my business and confiscating all my assets, there would be kidnapping attempts on me by Indian agencies. I was always hearing about it but I never believed they could go to this extent”, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Mehul Choksi’s lawyer Vijay Aggarwal also said that the petition for abuse of process has been filed in Dominica and the court has accepted the plea, hence the illegal penetration test has been stayed. “The man was picked up from Antigua against his will and thrown into Dominica to be brought to India from there,” he said.
Choksi, wanted in India’s Rs 13,500-crore bank fraud case, went missing on May 23 mysteriously from Antigua and Barbuda, where he is staying after escaping from India.
He was detained on May 24 for illegal entry into the neighboring island of Dominica, following a possible romantic escapade with his alleged girlfriend.
His lawyers alleged that he was kidnapped from Antigua’s Jolly Harbor on May 23 by Antigua and Indian-looking policemen and brought to Dominica on a boat.
Seeking bail in Dominica, Choksi had attached his medical reports, including a CT scan report, which showed a “mildly worsening hematoma”.
Doctors recommend immediate review of his medical condition by a neurologist and a neurosurgical consultant.
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