Extradition Act shall apply with respect to Antigua says government

New Delhi, Aug 6: The Indian Government has directed that the provisions of the Extradition Act 1962 shall apply with respect to Antigua and Barbuda. This decision is an important one considering the fact that India is trying to get PNB fraud accused, Mehul Choski extradited from Antigua.

The order issued by the Ministry for External Affairs states, " In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Extradition Act, 1962, the Central Government hereby directs that the provisions of the Extradition Act, 1962, other than Chapter III shall apply respect to Antigua and Barbuda, with effect from the date of notifying India as designated commonwealth country, under the provisions of the Extradition Act, 1993 of Antigua and Barbuda.

In 2001, Antigua and Barbuda notified India as a designated country under the Commonwealth country under the provisions of the extradition act.

Choksi, it may be recalled had recently obtained citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda. The government there had said that it would not stand in the way in the absence of an extradition treaty, if there was a strong case against Choksi.