Mumbai, Oct 31 (NIE): Absconding diametiare Mehul Choksi on Tuesday told the special PMLA court that it was “medically impossible” for him to travel to India due to his health condition.

In his reply to the Enforcement Directorate’s plea to declare him as a fugitive economic offender, Choksi — an accused in the PNB fraud case — said that he had neither left the country post the registration of the complaint against him by the CBI or the ED nor has he refused to return. He claimed that he has been unable to return due to his medical conditions.

Choksi claimed that he has blocked arteries, diabetes and a clot in his brain since 2012. “It has resulted in multiple medical complications, making it extremely impossible for him to travel on long flights of 41 hours,” the application filed through advocates Sanjay Abbot and Rahul Agarwal stated.

Choksi also opposed the ED plea to declare him a fugitive economic offender on various grounds, similar to the ones made by his nephew, Nirav Modi, including maintenance of “status quo”, allegations of “fraud” against ED as well as permission to lead evidence and cross-examine witnesses before the plea is decided.

The court directed the ED to file a reply to these applications and will hear the matter next month.

Court rejects Mallya plea against ED proceedings for FEO tag

A special court has rejected an application filed by absconding businessman Vijay Mallya seeking a stay on the hearing on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate seeking to declare him a fugitive economic offender (FEO). Mallya, through his advocates, had last week sought a maintenance of “status quo”, stating that since the issue of his properties was being heard before an appellate tribunal, the ED plea should be deferred. The court rejected the plea and adjourned the hearing on the ED plea to next month.