Where’s your father, country waiting to give him red carpet: SC to Choksi’s son
In a scathing remark, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition filed by Mehul Choksi’s son, asking him a pointed question – “Where’s your respected father nowadays? The country is waiting to give him a red-carpet welcome.” The court’s comment was in response to a petition filed by Choksi’s son against the National Spot Exchange Limited’s (NSEL) decision to include him in a ₹937-crore recovery suit.
Mehul Choksi, a fugitive businessman, is an accused in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, one of the largest banking scams in Indian history. He is being pursued for extradition by the Indian authorities, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. Choksi has been accused of defrauding the PNB of over ₹13,000 crore, and his case has been making headlines for several years.
The Supreme Court’s comment is a clear indication of the country’s frustration with Choksi’s continued absence and the perceived lack of cooperation from his family members. The court’s remark is not just a witty retort but also a reflection of the anger and disappointment felt by the Indian people towards those who have cheated the system and escaped accountability.
The NSEL’s decision to include Choksi’s son in the recovery suit is a significant development in the case. The suit aims to recover ₹937 crore from the accused parties, including Choksi and his companies. The inclusion of Choksi’s son in the suit suggests that the authorities are exploring all possible avenues to recover the lost funds and hold the accused parties accountable.
The PNB scam, which was uncovered in 2018, has been a major embarrassment for the Indian banking system. The scam involved the issuance of fake letters of undertaking (LoUs) by PNB officials, which allowed Choksi’s companies to secure loans from other banks. The scam was carried out over several years, and it is estimated that Choksi’s companies defaulted on loans worth over ₹13,000 crore.
Choksi’s disappearance has been a major hurdle in the investigation and prosecution of the case. He is believed to have left India in January 2018, just before the scam was uncovered. Since then, his whereabouts have been unknown, and his family members have not been cooperative in the investigation.
The Indian authorities have been trying to extradite Choksi from various countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, where he is believed to have taken citizenship. However, the extradition process has been slow, and Choksi’s lawyers have been using various legal tactics to delay the process.
The Supreme Court’s comment is a clear message to Choksi and his family members that the country is waiting for him to return and face the law. The court’s remark is also a reflection of the growing frustration among the Indian people with the slow pace of the investigation and the perceived lack of accountability among the accused parties.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s comment to Choksi’s son is a significant development in the PNB scam case. The court’s remark is a clear indication of the country’s frustration with Choksi’s continued absence and the perceived lack of cooperation from his family members. The inclusion of Choksi’s son in the recovery suit is a significant step towards holding the accused parties accountable and recovering the lost funds. As the country waits for Choksi to return and face the law, the Supreme Court’s comment serves as a reminder that the law will eventually catch up with those who have cheated the system.
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