New Delhi: In a major breakthrough for Indian authorities, fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, infamous for his alleged role in defrauding the Punjab National Bank of over Rs 13,500 crore, has been arrested in Belgium following a meticulous extradition request by India. This move marks the culmination of years of relentless efforts by Indian agencies to bring Choksi to justice.
Choksi’s arrest in Belgium comes as a significant development in the ongoing pursuit of those involved in the massive financial scam. The Belgian police apprehended him on Saturday, and he is currently detained. Choksi’s legal team, led by Vijay Aggarwal, has confirmed the arrest and announced plans to contest the extradition request, citing health issues among other grounds for appeal. Choksi claims to be undergoing cancer treatment, a factor he hopes will sway the court’s decision.
The Punjab National Bank scam, which surfaced in 2018, involved Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, who is currently awaiting extradition from the UK. The alleged fraud entailed the misuse of letters of undertaking and foreign letters of credit by bribing bank officials. Both fugitives fled India in January 2018, just weeks before the scam was exposed.
Choksi had been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti, a Belgian citizen, after securing a residency card. Prior to this, he had acquired citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, a move that followed his departure from India. Choksi previously made headlines in 2021 when he went missing from Antigua and was later found in Dominica, sparking a kidnapping claim by his counsel.
The arrest and potential extradition of Choksi highlight India’s increasing efforts to bring fugitives to justice and recover funds lost in such scams. Indian authorities have been closely collaborating with international partners to ensure the return of such fugitives, reflecting a strong stance against financial crimes.
