CHOKSI HEARING ON HABEUS CORPUS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 2 IN DOMINICA

                                                        Why is this man laughing ?

Today's hearing resulted in the Court scheduling Choksi's attorneys' Habeus Corpus petition for June 2, 2021. The Government of Dominica and counsel for Choksi must file their affidavits no later than June 1. Choksi has been ordered tested for COVID-19, and thereafter detained until the Court makes a decision on where he is to be transferred. His access to counsel, which was previously denied to him, has now been protected. There is a Gag Order in place regarding the proceeding,meaning that the attorneys are not allowed to speak with the press.

The real story behind the "kidnapping" remains a mystery. Was it really a ploy by Choksi to foil his impending extradition, a real rendition by Indian law enforcement agents, or something else entirely ? One source even asserts that Choksi has a Dominica CBI passport, but his current nationality remains in controversy, especially since obtaining a second passport reportedly causes one to lose his Indian citizenship entirely.

Here is the complete text of the Order entered today at the High Court:

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UPON HEARING, Mr Julian Prevost, Mr Wayne Nordé, Mrs Cara Shillingford-Marsh and Mr Wayne Marsh Attorneys at Law for the Applicant and the Hon. Attorney-General Mr Levy A Peter on behalf of the respondents

AND UPON the application for Habeas Corpus and injunction coming up for hearing inter partes

AND UPON IT being agreed by the parties that the applicant will be transported to the Dominica China Friendship Hospital for medical attention and for the administration of a Covid test

AND UPON Counsel agreeing that depending on the outcome of the Covid Test that the parties shall have discussions as to the mutually agreed secure placement of the applicant and inform the court thereof

AND UPON Consideration of part 57 of the Civil Procedure Rule 2000

IT IS ORDERED that:

That the applicant be allowed to meet with his Legal Counsel as is required;
The injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, servants, agents and/or representatives from removing the applicant from The Commonwealth of Dominica until further or other hearing of this application is continued until the further hearing of this matter;
The respondents shall file and serve their affidavit(s)in response to the application filed herein on or before 10:30 AM on Tuesday 1st June 2021;
The applicant shall file any affidavit in reply if necessary, on or before 3:30 PM on Tuesday 1st June 2021;
The application for Habeas Corpus will be heard in open court on Wednesday 2nd June 2021 at 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the forenoon;
Liberty to apply; and
The applicant has conduct of this order; and
There shall be no publication or discussion or notification of the press regarding this matter without leave and or permission of the court.
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This is the only press release that has appeared.