Was planning to return to India, but not anymore: Mehul Choksi

Wanted diamond merchant Mehul Choksi has said that he was "seriously considering" returning to India to prove his innocence, but his "kidnapping” by Indian agencies has made him change his mind.

Choksi reached Antigua and Barbuda on Thursday after spending 52 days in Dominica.

The Hindustan Times has reported that the fugitive businessman, in an audio message, said that the alleged "kidnapping" has "left a permanent scar" on his soul.

Choksi added that he could never imagine that after closing down all his businesses and seizing properties, a kidnapping attempt would be made by the Indian agencies, the report said.

Choksi had mysteriously went missing from Antigua on May 23 and was found in Dominica the next day. He then alleged that he was kidnapped by Indian and Antigua officials and taken to Dominica in a vessel. Both India and Antigua have rejected the kidnapping claim.

Also See | Banks get ₹9,000 crore worth seized assets of Vijay Mallya, Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi