New Delhi : Markets regulator Sebi never gave any clean chit report on fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi to Antigua’s citizenship-for-investment authority, a senior official said on Sunday.
The regulator is continuing with its probe into alleged violation of capital market regulations by Mehul Choksi-Nirav Modi duo and their associates including some brokers in connection with two listed firms — PNB and Gitanjali Gems, the official added. The regulator will now also consider sending the notices for Choksi to Antigua as the absconding businessman and Gitanjali Gems promoter has been granted a citizenship there, the official said.
Last week, an Antiguan media report quoted the Caribbean country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) as saying that Choksi was granted citizenship there last year after a background check on him got ‘no adverse report’ from Indian authorities, including police, passport office and Sebi.
As per the report, the CIU received documentation of two instances in which the Sebi, in 2014 and 2017, opened investigations on a corporate entity owned by Choksi.
