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In a major setback to fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, Dominica high court has denied bail saying that he has no ties to Dominica and the court cannot impose any conditions which will assure it that he wouldn’t abscond, reported news agency ANI.
The Dominica high court also pointed out how Choksi proposed that he will stay with his brother in the hotel, but that is not a fixed address. The court also noted that his trial has not started yet. Judge Wynante Adrien-Roberts of Dominica high court decided not to grant bail to Mehul Choksi after conclusion of the submissions made by both the sides.
The court also highlighted that Mehul Choksi didn’t offer any strong surety before the court while he sought bail and he’s a flight risk too, Antigua Newsroom reported.
Currently, Choksi has got interim relief from immediate repatriation to India by the Dominican court.
While arguing, Choksi’s Counsel cited medical grounds for bail and dismissed flight risk.
The court verdict comes a few days after Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit termed Choksi as an “Indian citizen” and stated that the courts will decide what happens to the fugitive. He added that the government will protect the rights of Choksi as he awaits trial.
“The matter with this Indian citizen is before the courts, the courts will decide what happens to this gentleman and we allow the court process to go through,” Loop Jamaica News quoted that Dominica PM as saying.
