In an interview to ANI, Barbara Jabarica, the woman whose name had cropped up in the Mehul Choksi saga in the Carribeans, stated that she did not know who the fugitive diamantaire was originally, and that there was no sign of “abduction” as he had claimed.

Barbara’s claims come at a time when Choksi, who is currently facing trial at a Dominican court, is claiming that there was a concerted effort to kidnap him. Choksi, who had moved citizenship to Antigua and Barbuda after a multi-crore Punjab National Bank scam came to light, was arrested in Dominica after he jumped islands in the Caribbean; in an extradition hearing, Choksi’s lawyers had alleged that he was abducted and taken to Dominica by “policemen looking Antiguan and Indian”.

In a complaint filed before Antiguan police, Choksi has given a full account of his version of the incident. He named his erstwhile “friend” Barbara, along with two names—Narinder Singh and Gurmit Singh—accusing them of taking him to Dominica for an interview with a “high-ranking Indian politician”.

“I know Mehul since last August, and met with him in Antigua’s Jolly Harbour when I rented an Airbnb accommodation near where he lives. He introduced himself as Raj. Between August to April, he was always texting me, but between August to April, I replied to him once a month,” she told ANI.

Barbara added that, between April to May, they started having daily conversations, mainly about going into business together. She said that she was not Choksi’s girlfriend, and that she had her own income and business, and no need for his money.

Choksi had claimed in a complaint that, while he was waiting inside her house, “8-10 musclemen claiming to be Antiguan policemen barged in and beat him to a pulp, took his wallet, Rolex watch, mobile phone, and tased him before handcuffing, gagging and blindfolding him”.

However, Barbara told the news agency: “There was no sign of abduction, and I said in other interviews, for people who know Jolly Harbour area, it is impossible to kidnap anyone there. It is the safest place, a family area.”

“Choksi never used a word like escape. But, he did ask me twice if I have ever been to Cuba. He also told me that next time we may meet in Cuba. He never explained his escape plan but I am certain that I don’t think Dominica was his final destination,” she said.

She also said that she wasn’t aware of his real name and background until last week.