Last Updated on December 26, 2021, 7:32 AM AST by Anthony Morris
On August 17, 2021, SKN News published a news article with a headline suggesting the involvement of Gurdip Dev Bath – a resident of St Kitts and Nevis in the alleged kidnapping of Indian fugitive Mehul Choksi. Upon verification, it was found that Gurdip Dev Bath was not involved in anything related to Choksi. SKN News profoundly regrets the damage caused by the news article to the reputation caused to Bath’s esteem and prestige.
SKN News also regrets the anguish caused to his family and well-wishers, an unconditional apology it offered to Mr Gurdip Dev Bath for the damages. As a commitment to true and unbiased journalism, SKN News has removed the particular article from the websites and all other digital platforms operated by the company.
Dev Bath was accused of having a crucial role in a bungled attempt to kidnap and bring Mehul Choksi to India, according to the lawsuit, which was detailed in The Week on Tuesday.
Correspondents from Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica after conducting comprehensive investigations by taking information from senior officers to local vendors, concluded that news items published by Ashis Ray in different India based news outlets were entirely imaginary and self-made stories. The author had been pushing fake news/paid news for personal benefits and might be sponsored by accused Mehul Choksi. The alleged complaint which Mehul Choksi’s lawyers claimed to be registered against Bath never surfaced in the public domain, and only statements were used to defame the subject.
Additionally, the findings of the senior investigator, Mr Tarique Ghaffur (CBE, QPM a former Assistant Commissioner of Metropolitan Police London), who conducted the investigations related to the case by taking interviews of all the subjects accused in the alleged kidnapping plot of Mehul Choksi, exonerated all accused in the investigation. Ghaffur concluded that Mr Gurdip Dev Bath had no involvement in any activity related to Mehul Choksi or any of his associates and Mr Bath was falsely framed in the case.
Following the agreement with the legal team of Mr Bath, the sum of the amount pronounced against SKN News will be diverted towards a specified charity.
Apart from this, Gurdip Dev Bath has been actively participating towards the benefit of St Kitts and Nevis as well as some other Caribbean nations. Recently, Bath channelized the donation of Turkey and Ham for the Christmas season.
According to St Kitts and Nevis Government press release, Bath, who is also a special representative of St Kitts and Nevis, is no new to donations. His generosity is applauded by many citizens and residents of the country. “Bath managed and donated over 25 cases of Ham and 175 cases of Turkey in December 2021, to help the country celebrate the Christmas season. The container of hams and turkeys was unloaded, and the food was given to Abdias Samuel’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),” the release cited.
An official of the government said that Gurdip Dev Bath, through his efforts and connections managed to channelize donations of turkeys, hams and toys for the children of the country. “He has been channelizing all these generous donations by utilizing links with high ranked officials and philanthropists around the world. Since more than 8 years, Mr Bath has been facilitating special donation packages to people of St Kitts and Nevis.”
With his generous efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Dev Bath played a key role in response to the deadly virus. His efforts made St Kitts and Nevis among the first countries in the region to receive the COVID-19 vaccines from India.
According to the local newspaper, he was given complete authority to coordinate the handling and previous procedure of vaccine facilitation on behalf of the OECS member islands’ heads of the government. He assisted as a guide for the shipment’s management and the vaccination strategy for the target demographic population through his personal relations with the Indian government in the facilitation of vaccines to the Caribbean region.
Mr Gurdip (Dev) Bath, Special Representative of St Kitts and Nevis, acted as a catalyst to ensure that vaccine equity is maintained across the Caribbean. According to an Indian official source, he supervised the handling and shipment of Oxford Astra-Zeneca Covishield vaccines given by the Indian government during the month of February.
Mr Bath also oversaw the acquisition, packaging, shipping, and clearance of a 40-foot container of dry foods given through his international relations and administered through NEMA for charitable purposes in connection with the COVID-19 response in October 2021.
Abdias Samuel, Chairperson of the National COVID-19 Task Force, stated that Gurdip Dev Bath continues to offer support to St Kitts and Nevis. He emphasized the work done by Bath during the peak days of the pandemic.
Samuel said that Gurdip Dev Bath made the delivery of Astra-Zeneca coronavirus vaccines possible from India.
He acknowledged the role played by Bath as a special representative of St Kitts and Nevis and lauded his efforts to help the country at regional and international levels.
Abdias Samuel, who is also head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stated that Gurdip “Dev” Bath has always been instrumental in coordinating with other organizations for the welfare of St Kitts and Nevis.
According to reliable information, Gurdip Dev Bath has connections with many senior officials and influential personalities.
Other news outlets which published the labelled Bath with such activities also tendered a formal apology to him. Europe based news provider, EU Reporter states, “We repeat our profuse apology to Mr Dev Bath and we have today settled libel proceedings with Mr Dev Bath and have paid an agreed sum in settlement of his claim and legal costs to his nominated charity, St John Ambulance UK.”
Another Europe based news website quoted, “CCE NEWS apologize for publishing a news article against Gurdip “Dev” Bath, a St Kitts and Nevis citizen.” It also added that the news article was “Compensated News” which has been taken down from the website.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
