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Tel Aviv: Mehul Choksi episode is not coming to an end as everyday new revelations are coming up. In a piece of breaking news by Daily Research Editor, it was revealed that India based Globe Detective agency which carries out due diligence on the people who apply for citizenship by investment programme of the Caribbean countries, could be the one which cleared Mehul Choksi’s application for Antigua and Barbuda.
Reliable sources revealed that Globe Detectives provide due diligence services to several countries in the Caribbean that offer Citizenship by Investment programmes. The company that flaunts itself as a pioneer and leader of investigations, merely has a physical presence in India. And it also lacks the expertise usually required for third party due diligence providers.
Investigations revealed that the company is handled by only three men who share the same family tree (Kumar). The company in its about states that they are strictly Indian; the question remains here how they provide due diligence services to the Caribbean or vetting applicants across the world.
It was also revealed by the source that Globe Detectives not only lacks expertise, but also compromises the due diligence process in exchange for cash.
It is suspected that Antigua and Barbuda also have the same company hired for its Citizenship by Investment Programme due diligence process. It also appears that in Mehul Choksi’s citizenship application, Globe Detectives played vital role in giving him clearance from India.
The Indian law does not allow a citizen to hold dual nationality, but the company is operating under the nose of the Indian government. However, Daily Research Editor also reached out to the Enforcement Directorate, a government agency that is responsible for enforcing economic laws and fighting financial crime in India. The officials stated that investigations are underway and soon they would reveal the reports. Responding to the question on people who obtained citizenship scrutinized by Globe Detectives, ED senior official said that the department would soon release a list of people who secured the citizenship to other countries through Globe Detectives. However, they refused to provide any statement on Mehul Choksi and added that the government agency is closely looking into this company.
The company states that it was established in 1961 by Prem Kumar, a forefather of the three stakeholders, Vivek Kumar (Managing Director), Sachit Kumar (Director) and Puneet Kumar (Director). Ironically, the agency which provides due diligence of CBI applicants do not have any employees but directors only. How do they conduct organised due diligence which is integral part of Citizenship applications in the countries offering dual citizenship.
The lack of professionalism gives an opportunity to criminals or fraudsters to make an escape from India after committing a serious crime. There are speculations that Choksi’s citizenship might get revoked after The Indian agencies expose the Globe Detective agency in the near future.
Notably, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has already revoked Mehul Choksi’s citizenship, yet he is fighting the case in local courts. The revelation of an inexpert, compromising due diligence agency could prove to be a prominent base to get the approval from Antiguan court for revocation of Mehul Choksi’s citizenship.