Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium: Extradition Request Filed by India
Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium following India’s extradition request. He is wanted for defrauding Punjab National Bank of ₹13,850 crore. Choksi, previously residing in Antigua and Barbuda, allegedly obtained residency in Belgium through false documents. Indian authorities laud the arrest as a victory for diplomatic efforts under the Modi administration.
Belgium’s Federal Public Service of Justice has confirmed the arrest of Mehul Choksi, following an extradition request from India. Choksi was apprehended on April 12, 2025, and is currently being held in custody while awaiting further judicial proceedings. He has been granted access to legal counsel, as per Belgian law, ensuring he can prepare his defense against extradition.
Mehul Choksi, a 65-year-old diamond businessman, fled India on January 2, 2018, and is wanted by Indian authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), for allegedly defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of ₹13,850 crore. Associated with the same scandal is his nephew, Nirav Modi, who is currently imprisoned in London while contesting extradition to India.
Both Choksi and Nirav Modi reportedly engaged in fraudulent activities using counterfeit documents to defraud PNB significantly. Choksi, who founded Gitanjali Gems, was residing in Antigua and Barbuda until he acquired Belgian residency on November 15, 2023. His wife, Preeti Choksi, is Belgian, which facilitated his move.
Reports suggest that Choksi obtained his Belgian residency using fraudulent documents, including false declarations, and omitted his Indian and Antiguan citizenship details. This misrepresentation likely aimed to evade legal repercussions from India.
The arrest has elicited political responses, with Indian Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal praising the Modi government’s diplomatic efforts in securing Choksi’s apprehension. He emphasized that this development signifies a significant diplomatic achievement for India under Modi’s administration. The situation remains fluid as further details continue to emerge.
Mehul Choksi’s arrest in Belgium, prompted by an extradition request from India, marks a notable step in international legal cooperation. Following his escape in 2018 after allegedly defrauding PNB, Choksi’s recent apprehension underlines the effectiveness of diplomatic channels and exposes the complexities involved in transnational crime and fraud. His situation, compounded by allegations of false documentation for residency, emphasizes the importance of transparency in citizenship regulations.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
