Countering the claim made by PNB bank fraud case accused Mehul Choksi that he was unable to return to India due to persistent health problems, the Enforcement Directorate in a counter-affidavit submitted before the Mumbai High Court has offered to provide an air ambulance and a team of medical experts to bring him back from Antigua and provide him with all necessary treatment in India.

Terming Choksi’s claim as “a facade”, the ED officials said it had been erected merely to mislead the court in an obvious attempt to delay the proceedings. “We are ready to provide an expert medical team along with an air ambulance to bring him from Antigua to India under medical supervision,” a senior official said quoting from the affidavit.

Noting that Choksi has never cooperated in the investigation into the Rs 13,000-crore PNB bank fraud scam, sources said, the agency also informed the court that the fugitive’s claim on his assets worth Rs 6,129 crore being seized, was wrong, as the agency during the probe had attached assets worth Rs 2,100 crore only. It also said the fugitive diamantaire had been trying to sell all his assets before fleeing from India.

“He never cooperated in the investigation. A non-bailable warrant was issued against him. A Red Corner Notice was issued by the Interpol. He has refused to return, he is, therefore, a fugitive and an absconder,” the ED is learnt to have said.

This development came after Choksi, on June 17, submitted an affidavit in the Mumbai HC, saying he is residing in Antigua and was willing to cooperate in the investigation into the scam.

Showing his willingness to cooperate with the investigating agencies ED and CBI he sought a direction to them to conduct the probe in Antigua.