Mehul Choksi Residing in Belgium: India Seeks His Extradition

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is allegedly living in Antwerp, Belgium, with a residency card. Indian authorities have requested his extradition in relation to a ₹13,500 crore bank fraud case tied to Punjab National Bank. Allegations claim he used false documentation to secure residency. Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, face serious legal challenges in this ongoing international fraud case.

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is reportedly residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi. Recent media reports indicate that he has obtained a residency card in Belgium, prompting Indian authorities to request his extradition. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from India regarding this situation.

Choksi, the owner of the Gitanjali Group, is a key figure in an alleged bank loan fraud case amounting to ₹13,500 crore. He, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is implicated in defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB), leading to charges filed by Indian authorities in 2018. Both Choksi and Modi, among others, face investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Initially believed to be in Antigua and Barbuda, Choksi’s recent move to Belgium has raised concerns regarding his escape from accountability. His wife Preeti is reportedly a Belgian citizen. Allegations suggest that Choksi obtained Belgian residency through false documentation, including misleading claims about his nationality, while citing medical treatment as his reason for relocation.

The fraudulent scheme involved Choksi and Modi allegedly misappropriating more than ₹13,500 crore through deceitful financial instruments from PNB. While Nirav Modi is currently facing extradition proceedings in London, Choksi remains untraceable. Previously, he disappeared from Antigua in May 2021 but was later located.

The ongoing legal and extradition processes highlight the complex international dimensions of this case involving financial fraud and legal jurisdictions.

Mehul Choksi’s residency in Belgium has sparked an extradition request from India due to his involvement in a major bank fraud case. The reports suggest that he used fraudulent means to obtain residency, raising concerns about his accountability. As legal proceedings continue internationally, the implications of this case underscore significant challenges in dealing with financial crimes across borders.

Original Source: www.livemint.com