Choksi Ends UK Legal Case Over Alleged 2021 Abduction From Antigua

Antigua and Barbuda citizen Mehul Choksi has ended his remaining legal action in Britain over his alleged abduction from Antigua and removal to Dominica in 2021, leaving the claims unresolved by the British courts. The 67-year-old diamond businessman discontinued his remaining claims against Barbara Jarabik and the Indian government after proceedings involving four other defendants were struck out by the High Court. Choksi had alleged that Jarabik lured him to an apartment in Antigua in May 2021, where he claimed he was attacked before being forcibly taken to a boat and transported to Dominica. He further alleged that the incident formed part of a conspiracy involving several individuals and the Indian government to remove him from Antigua and eventually return him to India. Jarabik and the other defendants denied the allegations. The case encountered difficulties after Choksi was ordered to provide security for the potential legal costs of four defendants. The required security amounted to approximately US$896,752, based on the September 25 exchange rate of US$1.3246 to £1. About US$562,955 related to Gurdip Bath and Leslie Farrow-Guy, while approximately US$333,797 concerned Gurmit Singh and Gurjit Singh Bhandal. The security was not a fine or damages payment. It was intended to cover potential legal costs if Choksi ultimately lost the proceedings. After he failed to meet the security requirement, the High Court struck out the claims against the four defendants in July and ordered Choksi to pay their legal costs. He later discontinued the remaining proceedings. The outcome means the case concluded on procedural and costs-related grounds rather than following a trial examining the competing accounts of what happened in Antigua in May 2021. No British court therefore ruled on Choksi’s kidnapping allegations. Choksi had been living in Antigua and Barbuda before unexpectedly appearing in Dominica in 2021. Following his detention there, his lawyers maintained that he had been abducted from Antigua and forcibly transported to the neighbouring island. He subsequently obtained bail and returned to Antigua. The incident attracted international attention because Indian authorities have sought Choksi in connection with the multibillion-dollar Punjab National Bank fraud case. Choksi has denied wrongdoing. While the British proceedings have ended, his legal challenges continue. Choksi remains detained in Belgium, where he is contesting efforts to extradite him to India.