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 hearing, asking the son of Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the Punjab National Bank scam, about the whereabouts of his father. The court’s comment came while dismissing a petition filed by Choksi’s son against the National Spot Exchange Limited’s decision to include him in a ₹937-crore recovery suit. The apex court’s observation is a clear indication of the country’s eagerness to bring Mehul Choksi to justice, and the court’s frustration with his continued absence.
Mehul Choksi, a diamond merchant and promoter of Gitanjali Gems, is accused of perpetrating a massive fraud on the Punjab National Bank, in collusion with his nephew Nirav Modi. The scam, which was uncovered in 2018, involved the issuance of fake letters of undertaking and letters of credit, which were used to obtain loans from overseas banks. The total amount involved in the scam is estimated to be around ₹14,000 crore, making it one of the largest banking scams in Indian history.
Choksi, who is currently residing in Antigua and Barbuda, has been evading Indian law enforcement agencies, citing health reasons and claiming that he is unable to travel. However, the Indian government has been pursuing his extradition, and the court’s recent remark suggests that the country is eager to bring him to justice.
The Supreme Court’s observation, “Where’s your respected father nowadays? The country is waiting to give him a red-carpet welcome,” is a clear indication of the court’s frustration with Choksi’s continued absence. The court’s use of the phrase “red-carpet welcome” is also significant, as it suggests that the country is ready to roll out the red carpet for Choksi, not to welcome him as a guest, but to bring him to justice.
The petition filed by Choksi’s son was against the National Spot Exchange Limited’s decision to include him in a ₹937-crore recovery suit. The suit was filed by the exchange to recover losses incurred due to the alleged fraud perpetrated by Choksi and his associates. The court’s dismissal of the petition is a significant setback for Choksi’s son, who had claimed that he was not involved in his father’s business dealings.
The Supreme Court’s decision is also a significant development in the ongoing saga of the Punjab National Bank scam. The scam, which was uncovered in 2018, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and investigation, with several high-profile arrests and extradition requests. The court’s observation is a clear indication that the country is committed to bringing those responsible for the scam to justice, and that it will not tolerate any attempts to evade the law.
In recent years, India has been actively pursuing the extradition of several high-profile individuals, including Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Mehul Choksi, who are accused of perpetrating large-scale financial crimes. The country’s efforts to bring these individuals to justice have been hindered by the complexities of international law and the reluctance of some countries to extradite their citizens.
However, the Indian government has been persistent in its efforts, and the Supreme Court’s observation is a clear indication that the country will not give up in its pursuit of justice. The court’s use of strong language, including the phrase “red-carpet welcome,” is a clear warning to those who are accused of financial crimes that they will not be able to evade the law indefinitely.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s observation is a significant development in the ongoing saga of the Punjab National Bank scam. The court’s use of strong language, including the phrase “red-carpet welcome,” is a clear indication that the country is committed to bringing those responsible for the scam to justice. The observation is also a warning to those who are accused of financial crimes that they will not be able to evade the law indefinitely. As the country continues to pursue the extradition of Mehul Choksi and other high-profile individuals, it is clear that the rule of law will prevail, and those who are guilty will be brought to justice.
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