PNB fraud case: Mehul Choksi in video message says ED allegations ‘false and baseless’

The alleged Rs 14,357-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) money laundering case takes a new twist, as fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi has termed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) allegations against him as “false and baseless”. 

In a series of video statements to ANI, Choksi claimed that he did not get any response from authorities after his passport was suspended.

In a 15-second ANI video, the jeweller said, “All allegations levelled by the ED are false and baseless. They have attached all my properties illegally without there being any basis of the same."

In another ANI video, he further said, “The passport authorities revoked my passport altogether, in view of which I was immobilised on February 16. I received an email from the passport office which said my passport had been suspended due to reasons of security threat to India on February 20.” 

Watch ANI videos

#WATCH Antigua: PNB Scam accused Mehul Choksi says, "all the allegations leveled by ED are false and baseless." pic.twitter.com/hkanruj9wl

— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2018

“I sent an email to the regional passport office Mumbai requesting them to revoke the suspension of my passport. However, I did not receive any replay from the regional passport office,” Choksi said, adding “Further, the regional passport office did not give any explanation as on my passport had been suspended and how I was a threat to India.” 

#WATCH PNB Scam accused Mehul Choksi on his passport revocation. Please note: ANI questions were asked by Mehul Choksi's lawyer in Antigua. pic.twitter.com/dwuPnOPaxd

— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2018

Yesterday, the ED reportedly sent a reminder to the Interpol about its application seeking a red corner notice against Choksi in connection with the alleged PNB fraud case.

Diamond jewellery businessman Choksi is the maternal uncle of Nirav Modi, who is the main accused in India's biggest financial scam.

The Interpol has issued RCNs against Nirav Modi, his brother Neeshal, sister Purvi, his executives Subhash Parab and Mihir R Bhansali.