The police of Antigua and Barbuda has started investigations into the alleged abduction of fugitive jeweller Mehul Choksi to neighbouring Dominica on a complaint filed by his lawyers, Prime Minister Gaston Browne told a local media outlet.

Antigua PM Browne said Choksi's lawyers mentioned the names of people involved in the alleged abduction in a complaint to the police commissioner, according to a report in the Antigua News Room.

The Antigua and Barbuda prime minister also said that if the claims are true, then it is a serious matter.

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Browne had last week requested Dominica to deport Choksi directly to India. Choksi enjoys full legal protection in Antigua as a citizen and it will be time consuming to extradite him to India from the country.

Browne had earlier told ANI in an interview that Choksi will not be allowed to return to Antigua from where he fled to Dominica last week.

Choksi’s family had claimed that he was in Antigua till 5 pm on May 23 which makes it impossible to cover a 120-mile distance in four to five hours, which approximately takes about 12-13 hours, the publication said.

Choksi had mysteriously gone missing on May 23 from Antigua and Barbuda where he has been staying ever since he fled India in 2018 after cheating the Punjab National Bank of Rs 14,000 crore. He was detained in neighbouring Dominica, for illegal entry after what is also being suspected as a possible romantic escapade with his rumoured girlfriend.

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His lawyers contend that he was abducted and brought to Dominica. If the court accepts the argument, he will be sent back to Antigua, where he had obtained citizenship and moved before he could be brought to book in India.

After he was caught in Dominica, Antigua said he should be deported straight to India.

In both Antigua and Dominica the opposition parties have accused the ruling parties of collaborating with Mehul Choksi.

An eight-member team from the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate is in Dominica for Choksi's extradition. The government has also sent its High Commissioner from Trinidad & Tobago to assist the officials.

According to sources, India has informed Dominica that Mehul Choksi should be treated as a fugitive Indian citizen and the Interpol Red Corner notice for him has been issued on the basis of a request from New Delhi.