Where’s your father, country waiting to give him red carpet: SC to Choksi’s son
The Supreme Court of India has made a scathing remark in a recent case involving Mehul Choksi, the fugitive businessman accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. The court was hearing a petition filed by Choksi’s son, who was seeking to be excluded from a ₹937-crore recovery suit filed by the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL). However, the court dismissed the petition, making a pointed comment about Mehul Choksi’s whereabouts.
The court asked, “Where’s your respected father nowadays? The country is waiting to give him a red-carpet welcome.” This remark is a clear indication of the court’s frustration with Choksi’s continued absence from the country, despite being a key accused in the PNB scam. The Indian government has been pursuing Choksi’s extradition from Antigua and Barbuda, where he is currently residing.
The PNB scam, which involves the fraudulent issuance of letters of undertaking (LoUs) worth ₹13,700 crore, is one of the biggest banking scams in Indian history. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of being the mastermind behind the scam. The two businessmen have been on the run since the scam was uncovered in 2018, and their whereabouts have been the subject of much speculation.
The Supreme Court’s comment is a clear indication that the Indian judiciary is losing patience with Choksi’s continued absence. The court’s remark about the country waiting to give him a “red-carpet welcome” is a sarcastic reference to the fact that Choksi will receive a very different kind of welcome if he returns to India. The Indian government has made it clear that it will take all necessary steps to bring Choksi to justice, and the court’s comment suggests that the judiciary is fully supportive of this effort.
The case highlights the challenges faced by the Indian authorities in bringing fugitive businessmen to justice. Choksi’s decision to flee the country and seek refuge in Antigua and Barbuda has made it difficult for the Indian government to extradite him. The process of extradition is complex and time-consuming, and it requires the cooperation of the country where the fugitive is residing.
The Indian government has been criticized for its handling of the PNB scam and its failure to prevent Choksi and Nirav Modi from fleeing the country. The opposition has accused the government of being soft on corruption and of failing to take adequate steps to prevent such scams from occurring in the future.
The Supreme Court’s comment is also a reflection of the growing public frustration with the government’s handling of the case. The PNB scam has caused significant losses to the Indian banking system, and the public is eager to see those responsible brought to justice. The court’s remark is a clear indication that the judiciary is committed to ensuring that justice is served, and that those responsible for the scam are held accountable.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s comment in the case involving Mehul Choksi’s son is a clear indication of the judiciary’s frustration with the continued absence of the fugitive businessman. The court’s remark about the country waiting to give Choksi a “red-carpet welcome” is a sarcastic reference to the fact that he will receive a very different kind of welcome if he returns to India. The case highlights the challenges faced by the Indian authorities in bringing fugitive businessmen to justice and the need for greater cooperation between countries to prevent such scams from occurring in the future.
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