Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium on India's request for extradition: Sources

IANS April 14, 2025 112 views

Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamantaire wanted in the massive Punjab National Bank fraud case, has been arrested in Belgium. The 65-year-old businessman, who fled India in 2018 with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of defrauding the bank of ₹13,850 crore through complex financial manipulations. Indian agencies have been actively pursuing his extradition, and his arrest comes after persistent legal efforts. The next steps involve navigating Belgian legal procedures to bring Choksi back to India to face criminal charges.

"Sources said efforts are underway to bring him back to India as soon as possible" - CBI Sources
New Delhi, April 14: Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been apprehended by the police in Belgium, according to sources in the CBI, who added that this was carried out at India's request for his extradition.

Key Points

1

Choksi arrested in Belgium after fleeing India in 2018

2

Linked to massive ₹13,850 crore PNB bank fraud

3

Nephew Nirav Modi already in UK prison

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Extradition process now underway

The 65-year-old was reportedly arrested on Saturday (April 12). The businessman is living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a 'residency card' there.

He is likely to seek bail, citing ill health and other reasons.

Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore.

They allegedly used letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials of the bank's Brady House branch in Mumbai. The CBI has filed cases charging Choksi, his nephew Nirav Modi, their companies, bank staff, and others with conspiracy, cheating, and corruption.

Choksi and Nirav Modi fled India in January 2018, weeks before the scam in the PNB surfaced.

According to reports, Choksi has been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a citizen of Belgium. A citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, he reportedly left the island nation for medical treatment. In 2021, he went missing from Antigua but was later found on another Caribbean island nation, Dominica.

Choksi is the founder of Gitanjali Gems.

Nirav Modi remains in a UK prison as he continues to contest extradition proceedings initiated by Indian authorities. He was declared a fugitive economic offender (FEO) in 2019, while the ED's plea against Mehul Choksi has been pending since 2018.

Sources said that Choksi's arrest was triggered after Indian agencies reactivated extradition requests when the Interpol Red Notice against him was removed.

The ED and CBI, despite the deletion, pursued a fresh request, which ultimately led to his arrest in Belgium.

Sources said that efforts are underway to bring him back to India as soon as possible. However, legal hurdles in Belgian courts can delay the process.

Official confirmation of Choksi's arrest is awaited as also more details.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Finally! This has been a long time coming. Hope they bring him back soon and recover whatever money they can. The PNB scam affected so many people's lives.
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Priya M.
Interesting how he keeps moving between countries. First Antigua, then Dominica, now Belgium. Seems like he's been playing hide and seek with authorities for years 🤔
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Amit S.
While I'm glad he's been caught, I hope the agencies have a watertight case this time. Last time the extradition failed because of technicalities. We can't afford another slip-up.
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Sunita R.
The amount is staggering - 13,850 crore! That's public money. Hope this serves as a lesson to others who think they can get away with financial crimes. Justice delayed but hopefully not denied.
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Vikram J.
I wonder how he got a residency card in Belgium while being wanted internationally. The article mentions his wife is Belgian - is that how? The system seems full of loopholes.
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Neha P.
The health excuse is getting old now. First in Dominica, now in Belgium. If he's well enough to keep traveling between countries, he's well enough to face trial. 🙄

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Tags:
Mehul Choksi PNB Bank Fraud Extradition CBI Nirav Modi Economic Offender
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