Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium: Key Facts Surrounding His Extradition Efforts
Mehul Choksi, a fugitive and prime accused in the ₹13,500 crore PNB scam, was arrested in Belgium on India’s extradition request. Currently in custody, his bail may take time as the CBI engages with Belgian authorities. Choksi’s past includes fleeing India in 2018, claims of abduction, and allegations of further financial crimes. Legal processes may also see him declared a fugitive economic offender, affecting his assets.
Mehul Choksi was recently arrested by Belgian authorities at the request of Indian officials, marking a significant step in India’s efforts to extradite the fugitive businessman. Original reports indicate that Choksi is currently in custody, and obtaining bail could take some time as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) liaises with Belgian authorities regarding the extradition process.
Choksi, born in Mumbai in 1959, studied in Gujarat and is a married father of three. He is the main accused in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi, accused of using fraudulent Letters of Undertaking to secure loans from Indian banks.
Formerly the owner of the Gitanjali Group, a major jewelry enterprise, Choksi’s business collapsed following the exposure of the fraud in 2018. Shortly before the scandal erupted, he left India to become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, leveraging that nation’s Citizenship by Investment program.
Last year, Choksi relocated to Belgium from Antigua, where he claimed to be seeking cancer treatment, residing in Antwerp with his wife. There are allegations that he acquired Belgian residency using fraudulent documents and is contemplating a move to Switzerland for continued medical care.
Choksi has been accused of actively evading extradition, including going missing from Antigua in 2021 and reappearing in Dominica. He claimed to have been abducted by Indian agents and taken to Dominica, which led to a temporary legal case against him that was later withdrawn and he was returned to Antigua.
In addition to the PNB case, the CBI has pursued three additional cases against Choksi, totaling over ₹6,746 crore in alleged bank fraud. Currently, Nirav Modi remains incarcerated in London as he contests his extradition to India. Furthermore, a special court in Mumbai is deliberating whether to declare Choksi a fugitive economic offender, which would enable confiscation of his assets.
The recent arrest of Mehul Choksi in Belgium brings India closer to extraditing the fugitive businessman implicated in substantial financial fraud. His history includes notable connections to the PNB scam and actions indicative of efforts to evade legal accountability. The implications of his case extend beyond extradition, potentially involving asset confiscation as legal proceedings progress.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
