In February 2026, Mansfield J made an order for security for costs in the amount of £252,000 (inclusive of VAT) against the Claimant, Mehul Choksi, in his challenge for conspiracy, false imprisonment, unlawful detention and/or assault and battery: Choksi v Government of India & Ors [2026] EWHC 217 (KB). The Claimant failed to pay the security, and as a result, on 22 July 2026, the claim was struck out against the Fifth and Sixth Defendants.
The underlying dispute related to extradition proceedings commenced in March 2018 by the Government of India against the Claimant, a businessman of Indian nationality who went to live in Antigua, in respect of money laundering and economic crimes that were alleged against him. The Claimant alleged that the Government of India entered into a conspiracy with the individual defendants in the United Kingdom to kidnap the Claimant in Antigua and to extract a confession in respect of the alleged economic crimes: Mehul Choksi v The Government of India and others [2025] EWHC 1739 (KB) at paragraphs [1], [6]-[8].
The Fifth and Sixth Defendants had reserved their position regarding forum, state and diplomatic immunity and whether any public policy exceptions applied in relation to torture. There were complex legal arguments on forum non conveniens to be advanced considering the flag and registration of ship where the alleged acts of torture appeared to have taken place in both Antiguan territorial seas and international waters, relying on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Ramby de Mello of No5 Barristers’ Chambers, leading Susana Ferrín of No5 Barristers’ Chambers, acted on behalf of the Fifth and Sixth Defendants in this complex litigation. They were instructed by Galwinder Singh Kang of Murria Solicitors.
Those who instructed commented: “We extend our sincere thanks to leading counsel Ramby de Mello and Susana Ferrín of No5 Barristers’ Chambers. Their exceptional expertise, strategic vision and advocacy were pivotal throughout this complex litigation.”
The case is widely reported:
- Murria Solicitors, “High Court Strikes Out Claim Brought by Fugitive Billionaire Mehul Choksi”: https://murria.co.uk/high-court-strikes-out-claim-brought-by-fugitive-billionaire-mehul-choksi/
- WIC News, “UK High Court Claim by Mehul Choksi Struck Out After Failure to Pay Security For Costs”: https://wicnews.com/uk/uk-high-court-claim-by-mehul-choksi-struck-out-after-failure-to-pay-security-for-costs
- Times Now, “UK High Court Throws Out Mehul Choksi’s Kidnapping Claim Over Unpaid Legal Costs”: https://www.timesnownews.com/world/uk/uk-high-court-throws-out-mehul-choksis-kidnapping-claim-over-unpaid-legal-costs-article-155152479
- Associates Times: “Mehul Choksi’s Claim Struck Out by UK Court After Failure to Pay Security for Costs”: https://associatestimes.com/news/mehul-choksis-claim-struck-out-by-uk-court-after-failure-to-pay-security-for-costs
