Interpol issues Red Corner Notice against Mehul Choksi

NEW DELHI: In a third straight success for CBI in 10 days time, Interpol has issued the international arrest warrant - red notice - against businessman Mehul Choksi.The development comes 10 months after 13,578 crore Punjab National Bank scam involving Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi was unearthed.Last week only, UAE extradited AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel and a UK court ordered the extradition of Vijay Mallya to India.The issuance of red notice against Choksi finally makes him a “fugitive” in 192 countries, which means his visa-free travel to 32 countries on Antiguan passport could be restricted and he stands the chance of being detained.Sources say Interpol issued a red notice against Mehul Choksi about a fortnight back after a decision was taken by The Commission for the Control of Interpol Files (CCF) in a meeting in October.The red notice has been issued on a condition that it won’t be made public and only NCBs (National Central Bureaus) can access it. In India, Interpol’s NCB is handled by CBI itself.TOI had asked CBI exactly a week back if CCF had given permission for issuance of Red Notice against Mehul Choksi. However, CBI remained in “denial” mode and Interpol too refused to comment.Interpol initially hesitated in issuing red notice against Choksi after latter wrote to Interpol that he was being targeted for political reasons but India pushed its case saying the global notice has been issued against his nephew Nirav Modi on the similar charges.The Interpol headquarters then decided to refer the matter to the CCF, an independent body consisting of lawyers, investigators, judges etc which looks at red notice requests.