Mehul Choksi Files Application To Cancel Non Bailable Warrant Against Him Citing “Fear of Mob Lynching” As One Of Reasons For Non-Appearance

Fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi, the owner of Gitanjali Gems, who is alleged to be involved in the Rs.17,200 crores PNB fraud along with his nephew Nirav Modi, has filed an application to cancel the non-bailable warrants issued against him in the case filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The Sessions Court, Greater Bombay, acting as the special court under the PMLA, had issued two warrants against him- one on March 3, 2018, immediately after the ED registered the case and two, on July 3, 2018, after the Court took cognizance on the charge-sheet filed by ED. Among several legal and factual challenges raised by Choksi against the warrant, it is stated that his non-appearance before authorities in India was due to “fear of mob lynching”. Along with this, Choksi has filed another application, under Section 44 of the PMLA, seeking joint trial of the cases registered by ED and CBI.