Caribbean: In another major revelation, it has been found that the lead investigating officer Corporal Cedric Williams in the high-profile case involving Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi reportedly took bribes from the wife of Choksi, Priti Choksi, that too on a regular basis.
According to relevant sources, Cpl Williams’ recent statement to expensive hired private detective Oliver Laurence makes it apparent that he provided Mrs Choksi with exclusive information related to the investigation and allegedly assisted her in fabricating the evidence to support the narrative set by Mehul Choksi in exchange for bribes from her.
Reportedly, this alleged misconduct took place amid the duration of the primary investigation and beyond and it raises serious concerns about the case’s integrity.
Sources further reveal that an official statement on November 30, 2021, by Cpl Williams confirms that he was ‘too close’ to Choksi’s wife and her family during the period of investigation. This has sparked further questions regarding the overall integrity of this highly controversial case.
Williams allegedly confessed while saying, “I was too close to Mrs Choksi and her family in this matter and possibly telling her too much information.” With this, he also hinted at a troubling breach of professional boundaries, and he further stated, “Mrs Choksi was very worried for my safety,” which shows this unusual closeness with the fugitive’s partner during the important stages of the investigation.
Notably, Cpl Cedric Williams was immediately removed from the case after the close relationship was exposed in front of the authorities. Following his transfer, he made a private statement to a detective which was personally hired by the Choksi family.
In his statement, Williams expressed his fears saying that the statement is only being provided on the condition that his details will not be disclosed to the Antigua and Barbuda government, which again reveals his disregard for standard investigative procedures.
According to legal experts, Williams’ failure to inform his superiors or report his actions to the lead investigator raises questions about his conduct and these actions could also fall under the purview of Section 18 of the Prevention of Corruption Act of Antigua and Barbuda (2004), which paves the way for him to be caught against criminal charges.
It is to be noted that under the 1952 Police Act of Antigua and Barbuda, any behavior that undermines the authority of a senior officer is considered a serious offense. This includes actions that compromise the integrity of an investigation. In this case, Cpl Williams’ unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information and personal statements may be seen as a breach of duty. If found guilty, he could face a fine of up to $3,000 and potential imprisonment. Additionally, this could exacerbate the legal consequences he faces, including possible corruption charges.
Moreover, Private detective Laurence also admitted to the source saying that Corporal Cedric Williams accepted a whopping $20,000 bribe from Priti Choksi in exchange for giving a special statement which corroborate the kidnapping narrative of Mehul Choksi. Sources claimed that Laurence shared a copy of Williams’ statement, revealing a potentially orchestrated effort to influence the investigation’s outcome and further eroding the case’s integrity.
According to a copy of Cpl Cedric Williams’ personal statement obtained by the relevant source, it appears that Williams may have shown favouritism towards Priti Choksi. Sources close to the matter have pointed out that Williams’ statement seems to demonstrate a high level of support for Mrs. Choksi, with some noting that his comments in Section 27, where he describes Mrs. Choksi as “very genuine in her concern for her husband’s disappearance”, appear to align with the Choksi family’s account of events.
New inconsistencies have emerged in Williams’ account, specifically regarding Mehul Choksi’s vehicle, which was reportedly not at the scene on the day of his alleged disappearance, only to reappear the following morning. Notably, Williams’ statement fails to acknowledge the possibility that this sudden reappearance could have been a deliberate maneuver by Choksi’s associates to substantiate the claim of kidnapping.
Further evidence supporting this theory can be found in Section 34 of Williams’ statement, where he reveals that ‘Hani’, a known associate of Mehul Choksi, contacted him directly after allegedly leaving the vehicle in the Jolly Harbour compound, where it was subsequently discovered.
Cpl Williams’ statement appears to be built on unsubstantiated claims, particularly in Section 50, where he alleges that following his briefing, the superintendent from the special brand advised the group that intelligence had been received into his office that the Indian authorities were planning on coming to Antigua to capture Mehul Choksi. Notably, Williams conveniently omits the name of the official who supposedly provided this intelligence, raising suspicions that he aimed to avoid scrutiny or potential contradictions
Also, another inconsistency in Williams’ statement has come to light, highlighting a significant contradiction. He acknowledged that Mehul Choksi’s lawyer advised him to never be alone due to concerns for his safety. However, if Choksi had indeed followed this advice, it would cast doubt on the likelihood of his alleged kidnapping, raising more questions about the validity of Williams’ narrative.
Not only does Cpl Cedric Williams’ statement contain inconsistencies, but it also appears to be directly contradicted by official records. A notable example is his claim in Section 68, where he alleges that a person named Colin informed him about a boat called ‘Calliope of Arne’ spotted in the waters near Antigua and Barbuda, supposedly linked to Mehul Choksi’s disappearance. However, official records from the Customs and Immigration Department of Antigua and Barbuda tell a different story, casting doubt on the credibility of Williams’ assertion.
The records show that the ‘Calliope of Arne’ departed Antigua and Barbuda early that morning, hours before Mehul Choksi’s alleged disappearance that evening. This irrefutable evidence confirms that Choksi was still at his residence when the vessel left the jurisdiction, further undermining the credibility of Williams’ statement
The private detective Laurence added another layer to the case, while revealing that Mehul Choksi had been planning to escape well in advance of his alleged disappearance, confirmed the sources. According to information provided by private detective, Choksi allegedly held meetings in April 2021, approximately one month prior to his reported disappearance in May 2021. While specific details of these meetings remain undisclosed, their timing and nature imply a coordinated plan to facilitate his departure from Antigua and Barbuda.
Investigators believe that a comprehensive investigation into these meetings could reveal critical new insights into the case, potentially uncovering evidence of Choksi’s preparations to evade justice.