Where’s your father, country waiting to give him red carpet: SC to Choksi’s son
The Supreme Court of India recently made a scathing remark while dismissing a petition filed by Mehul Choksi’s son, asking him about the whereabouts of his father, who is an accused in the Punjab National Bank scam. The court’s comment has sparked a lot of interest and debate, with many seeing it as a reflection of the country’s frustration with the prolonged delay in bringing Mehul Choksi to justice.
The petition was filed by Choksi’s son against the National Spot Exchange Limited’s decision to include him in a ₹937-crore recovery suit. However, the Supreme Court was not convinced by the arguments presented and dismissed the petition, saying that the son cannot be allowed to escape the consequences of his father’s actions.
The court’s observation was pointed and poignant, as it asked, “Where’s your respected father nowadays? The country is waiting to give him a red-carpet welcome.” This statement is a clear indication of the court’s annoyance with the fact that Mehul Choksi has been able to evade the law for so long. The use of the phrase “red-carpet welcome” is also significant, as it suggests that the country is eager to bring Choksi to justice and hold him accountable for his actions.
Mehul Choksi is one of the key accused in the Punjab National Bank scam, which is estimated to be worth over ₹13,000 crore. He is alleged to have conspired with his nephew, Nirav Modi, to defraud the bank by using fake guarantees and letters of undertaking. Choksi has been on the run since the scam was discovered in 2018 and is currently living in Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean island nation.
The Indian government has been trying to extradite Choksi from Antigua and Barbuda, but the process has been slow and complicated. Choksi has been claiming that he is not fit to travel due to health reasons, and the Antiguan government has been reluctant to extradite him. This has led to a lot of frustration in India, with many seeing it as a case of a wealthy and influential individual using his resources and connections to evade the law.
The Supreme Court’s comment is a reflection of this frustration and a reminder that the country is still waiting for Choksi to be brought to justice. The fact that the court asked Choksi’s son about his father’s whereabouts suggests that the court is not satisfied with the progress made so far in the case and is eager to see some concrete action.
The dismissal of the petition filed by Choksi’s son is also significant, as it suggests that the court is not willing to allow the family members of accused individuals to escape the consequences of their actions. This is an important principle, as it ensures that those who are responsible for financial crimes are held accountable, regardless of their family connections or social status.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s comment on Mehul Choksi’s son is a clear indication of the country’s frustration with the delay in bringing Choksi to justice. The fact that the court asked about Choksi’s whereabouts and mentioned a “red-carpet welcome” suggests that the country is eager to see him face the law and answer for his actions. The dismissal of the petition filed by Choksi’s son is also a significant development, as it ensures that family members of accused individuals are not allowed to escape the consequences of their actions.
As the case against Mehul Choksi continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the Indian government and the judiciary work together to bring him to justice. The country is indeed waiting to give him a “red-carpet welcome,” and it is hoped that this will happen soon.