‘Extradition request unaffected’: CBI after Interpol removes red notice against Mehul Choksi

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Tuesday India’s request to extradite Mehul Choksi continues to be under ‘active consideration’ of the Antigua and Barbuda authorities, with the agency’s statement coming a day after it came to light that Interpol has removed its red notice against the fugitive diamantaire.

“The extradition request remains fully unimpacted by Red Notice-related communications with Interpol,” the CBI said in a statement, according to ANI.

Terming Interpol’s decision as ‘faulty,’ the CBI further said it will exercise available remedial and appellate options within the international police organisation to get Choksi’s red notice restored.

The agency further noted that Choksi, who is wanted in India in connection with the PNB fraud case and who acquired Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship in 2017, was located in the Caribbean island long before Interpol, in December 2018, put him on its red corner list, as requested by both the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Interpol’s move means the former Indian national can travel out of Antigua and Barbuda, freely. In India, meanwhile, prime minister Narendra Modi’s government has come under fire from the opposition over its failure to bring back Choksi, and the removal of his name from the Interpol list.