NEW DELHI: PNB scam accused Mehul Choksi, now under detention in Dominica, has claimed that his ‘abductors’ wanted him to give an interview to an Indian politician.
He has also alleged that the mystery woman Barbara Jabarica, with whom he had developed “friendly terms,” was in connivance with the abductors.
Choksi was held in Dominica for illegal entry in the country.
In his complaint to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, Choksi has named Jabarica, Narinder Singh and Gurmit Singh besides other unidentified people as accused behind his ‘abduction.’ Detailing the sequence of events on May 23, when he went missing from Antigua, Choksi said he was invited by Jabarica to her home at around 5 pm.
While he was waiting outside, he was overpowered and badly beaten up by a group of men.
“8-10 men who claimed to be from Antiguan Police beat me mercilessly.
I was barely conscious.
They took my phone, watch and wallet,” Choksi has said in his complaint to Antiguan Police.
Elaborating on Jabarika’s likely involvement in the abduction, he said “When I was being beaten up, Jabarica didn’t even attempt to help me or assist in any other way by calling for help from outside; manner in which Jabarica conducted herself clearly points that she was an integral part of this entire scheme to kidnap me.” Choksi claimed that he was put on a vessel where two Indian men and three men of Caribbean origin were present.
He alleged he was made to speak to a person named Narinder Singh who claimed to be in-charge of the operation.
He was pressured to co-operate with his captors and state that he had accompanied them on his own free volition.
He was also threatened with physical harm to himself and his family, Choksi alleged.
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It appears Mr Choksi was kidnapped from the community of Jolly Harbour (in Antigua).
He was lured by a woman called Barbara Jabarika, said Simon adding that according to him the planChoksi said that after nearly 15-17 hours, the boat stopped at around 9.30-10am Antiguan time.
“I was told that I had been brought to this special location to give an interview to a high-ranking Indian politician,” Choksi said.
His citizenship would be “fixed” in Dominica and he would soon be repatriated to India, Choksi has claimed being told.
However the plan ran into trouble, according to Choksi’s narrative, as Dominica was closed and they had to stay on the boat all day.
“This caused much dismay amongst the crew members as they were constantly getting radio calls enquiring as to why my ‘operation’ had not yet been completed.
They were getting harried as they were supposed to have handed me over to the ‘authorities’,” Choksi alleged.
After a long wait, the Dominican Police chief along with the coast guard informed him that he was caught because of an Interpol Red Notice.
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“I am a law-abiding citizen,” he said.
“I have extended an invitation to Indian authorities to interview me and ask any questions that they may have ofChoksi claimed he was not allowed to call his legal team, refused any change of clothes and denied medical treatment at the police station.
He also said that his abductors looked like ‘mercenaries,’ and wouldn’t have stopped from killing him if they had a reason or opportunity.
After he was given access to his lawyers in Dominca, they filed a habeas corpus petition before the high court which had adjourned the hearing.
(With inputs from agencies)