Extradition of Choksi possible from Antigua, Barbuda for India being Designated Commonwealth country

New Delhi, Aug 9: The government is trying to bring back fugitives residing in the foreign countries to India. They are accused of multi-crore scam in India and at large even before ince news about them broke out. The matter of United Bravery chief Vijay Mallya is pending with the Court in London while Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi are not based at any particular place.

On Choksi's presence in Antigua and Barbuda, the question is being asked if India has extradition treaty with the country. Sources in the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, "This has been reported that there is a new extradition agreement with Antigua and Barbuda. The report is incorrect. As per the provisions of the Extradition Act, 1993 of Antigua and Barbuda, a fugitive may be extradited to a Designated Commonwealth Country or a State with which there are general or special arrangement or a bilateral treaty. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda notified India as a designated Commonwealth country in 2001."

Source further said that the gazette notification on August 3, 2018 directed that provisions of Extradition Act, 1962 shall apply with respect to Antigua and Barbuda with effect from 2001 when Antigua and Barbuda notified India as Designated Commonwealth Country under the provision of its own Extradition Act.

So these notifications constitute an extradition arrangement between India and Antigua and Barbuda under their Extradition Act of 1993 and provides the legal basis for extraditing offenders from each other's jurisdiction. So as per the sources in the ministry extradition of Choksi is possible for which the government is trying very hard.