Republic busts Antigua claim on Mehul Choksi as CBI says it hasn't received request for his background check

The Citizenship by Investment Unit has responded to detailed questionnaire sent by Republic TV. What appears from the response is that the CIU is unwilling to withdraw the citizenship. 

1. On what basis was Mehul Choksi granted citizenship by Antigua? 

ANSWER: After extensive vetting, Mr. Mehul Choksi was granted citizenship by registration in November 2017. 

2 Mr. Mehul Choksi has defrauded a bank in India and a criminal investigation is underway. Will the Antigua authorities review their decision? 

ANSWER: Mr. Choksi’s application was subject to robust due diligence international investigation, which is conducted on each principal applicant and dependent(s), by reputable agencies, including the International Criminal Police Organization and the CARICOM Implementing Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS). The 2017 investigation revealed no derogatory information about Mr. Choksi

READ| CBI Seeks Mehul Choksi's Whereabouts From Antigua 

3 Has Mehul Choksi pledged any investment in Antigua? If yes, could you please share details of the investment. 

ANSWER: No direct response 

4 Is Mehul Choksi currently staying in Antigua? 

ANSWER: No direct response 

5 Has Mehul Choksi’s family been granted citizenship.

ANSWER: No person, other than Mr. Choksi, was associated with his application for citizenship by investment.

READ| Mehul Choksi Says He Is Not Returning To India As He Fears Being Lynched 

6 If Indian government makes a request to handover Mehul Choksi, will the Antigua authorities cooperate? 

ANSWER: Sharing of information between Governments falls under the authority of their Competent Authorities and not under the CIU.  In the case of Antigua and Barbuda, the Competent Authority is the Attorney-General.

READ| Mehul Choksi Not In United States Says, Interpol

CBI sources have said that Interpol never got in touch with Indian agencies in 2017 to find out about Mehul Choksi’s antecedents. CBI sources have also said that no request had come for any background check. In fact, CBI wrote a letter to the Antiguan authorities on Tuesday seeking more details regarding Choksi’s whereabouts. 

Meanwhile, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi have been asked to appear before the PMLA court in Mumbai under the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance.