Mehul Choksi, the fugitive jeweler wanted in India in connection with the ₹13,500 crores Punjab National Bank (PNB) frauds, was on Friday, June 11, 2021, denied bail by the high court in Rosea.,
Justice Wynante Adrien-Roberts denied bail to Mehul Choksi after the conclusion of the submissions made by both sides.
In her ruling after over six hours of arguments, the Judge stated that Mehul Choksi “did not offer any strong surety before the court while he sought bail and he is a flight risk.”
Cara Shillingford-Marsh, who led the arguments on behalf of a battery of lawyers for Choksi, argued that as a CARICOM citizen, Choksi was entitled to bail and the alleged offense was “bailable”.
She asked the court to impose a cash bail sum. She also argued that her client and serious medical health conditions and will always make himself available to the court for his matter.
But is response, Lennox Lawrence who appeared on behalf of the Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said that the fact that the Interpol Red notice which was issued for Choksi makes him an even greater “flight risk.”
Choksi he stated has “no links and or ties to Dominica” and granting him bail he would disappear from the jurisdiction.
After listening to the arguments Judge Adrien-Roberts said Mehul Choksi, has no ties to Dominica and that it cannot impose any conditions which will assure it that he wouldn’t abscond.
The high court also pointed that Choksi proposed he will stay with his brother in the hotel, which is not a fixed address. The court also noted that his trial has not started yet.