Mehul Choksi's extradition: India hands over official request to Antiguan authorities 

India has officially handed over Mehul Choksi's extradition request to Antiguan authorities, news agency ANI reported on Sunday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had previously sent the request to the Home Ministry which forwarded it the Ministry of External Affairs.

According to reports, Choksi had taken the citizenship of Antigua in November 2017 and moved to the Caribbean country in July this year.

Fugitive Indian businessman Mehul Choksi confirmed about his presence in Antigua through a statement issued by his legal associate.

Mehul Choksi said in a statement that he moved to Antigua and Barbuda under the Citizenship by Investment program.

He mentioned that he planned to move to the island to expand his business, be able to move across 132 countries without visa and also cited medical compulsions

The Antiguan passport gives visa-free access to 132 nations.

The CBI had previously communicated with the Antiguan government for Choksi's extradition. Antigua, in its response, stated that it would consider "a legitimate request" from India to send back Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

Diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi emerge at the centre of the multi-billion PNB scam and are being investigated by the ED and the CBI for the same.

The duo was found to have allegedly cheated the Punjab National Bank of more than Rs 13,400 crore.