ED makes big claim in PNB scam, says Mehul Choksi’s son Rohan was also active in money laundering

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has for the first time in nearly eight years formally claimed that Rohan Choksi, son of fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, was actively involved in money laundering. The claim was made in written submissions filed by the ED before the Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property (ATFP) in Delhi. Rohan Choksi had challenged the attachment of a property located in Mumbai.

In response, the ED told the tribunal that a flat on Walkeshwar Road in Mumbai was deliberately transferred by Mehul Choksi to his son Rohan Choksi in 2013. According to the agency, this transfer was part of a pre-planned strategy to protect assets from future legal action and possible attachment. The ED argued that serious questions had already begun to arise over Mehul Choksi’s business transactions at the time the property was transferred.

What the ED claimed

The ED informed the tribunal that Rohan Choksi holds a 99.99 percent stake in Luster Industries Private Limited, while Mehul Choksi is a director in the same company. Investigations revealed that this firm was allegedly used to route funds abroad. As per the ED, USD 127,500 (around ₹81.6 lakh) was transferred from Asian Diamond and Jewellery FZE to Singapore-based Merlin Luxury Group Private Limited. The agency claimed that this money was proceeds of crime and was directly diverted through this company.

Rohan holds 99.99 percent stake

The ED further stated that the Singapore-based Merlin Luxury Group was effectively under the control of Mehul Choksi and was operated through Luster Industries Private Limited. Since Rohan Choksi holds 99.99 percent ownership in Luster Industries, the agency argued that he cannot escape the attachment of related assets.

Alleged active role in money laundering

The investigation agency contended that all material available on record clearly indicates that Rohan Choksi actively participated in the offence of money laundering along with his father. On this basis, the ED justified the seizure of properties linked to him.

However, it is important to note that so far, Rohan Choksi’s name does not appear in any FIR, nor has he been formally named as an accused in any case registered by the CBI or the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).