Indian fugitive and diamond tycoon Mehul Choksi has been granted bail by the High Court. He was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 by Justice Bernie Stephenson to seek medical attention in Antigua and Barbuda where he holds citizenship. Several conditions are however attached to his bail. Before this time, Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette-George and High Court Judge Wynante Adrien-Roberts had denied Choksi bail.
As part of the bail conditions, Choksi will deposit a bail sum of EC$10,000 in cash to the court. This is in respect of the illegal entry charge for which he is being tried. His address in Antigua must be communicated with the Roseau Police Station and the High Court in Dominica, and the address must not be changed without authorization from the court in Dominica. His return to Dominica after treatment must also be communicated with the authorities to have his bail conditions reviewed.
Further to the conditions, Choksi must also be treated by Antiguan neurologist, Dr. Hayden Osborne, at the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, and he must not consult or be treated by another medical specialist without authorization from Dominican courts. However, he is only to return to Dominica after a doctor has certified that he is medically fit to stand trial.
One of his London lawyers, Michael Polak, said Choksi’s defence team is satisfied with his bail conditions and the fact that he will access required medical attention and reunite with his family. He said the fugitive’s health has deteriorated immensely since his arrival at Dominica and subsequent treatment at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH).
We are very pleased that the Dominican Court has made the principled and humanitarian decision to release Mr. Choksi so that he can access specialist medical care in Antigua. Mr. Choksi has been through a very difficult few weeks and has been subject to an ordeal that has had a detrimental effect on him physically. It is the right outcome that he be able to return to Antigua, where he can access the medical attention that he requires and be with his family.
Michael Polak, Lawyer
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