Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium on India’s Extradition Request
Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, has been detained in Belgium following an extradition request made by Indian authorities. He was arrested in the city of Antwerp, where he had been staying with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a Belgian citizen. Authorities believe he obtained Belgian residency using forged documents and was preparing to move to Switzerland for medical treatment.
Choksi fled India in early 2018, just before the massive banking fraud came to light. He acquired citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda under its investment program and later faced arrest in the Dominican Republic for illegal entry in 2021, though he was released and returned to Antigua. Indian enforcement agencies have been closely monitoring his international movements over the past seven years.
PNB Fraud Extradition
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been investigating Choksi’s involvement in one of India’s biggest banking scams. He is accused of orchestrating the fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) to access credit abroad, causing major financial damage to PNB.
Choksi’s nephew, Nirav Modi, is also a prime suspect in the case and is currently facing extradition proceedings in the United Kingdom. With Choksi now in custody, a high-level team from the CBI has been dispatched to Belgium to work on expediting the extradition process. The Indian government is actively coordinating with Belgian authorities to bring Choksi back to stand trial.
Belgium Detention
Choksi’s legal team has stated their intent to challenge the arrest and oppose extradition, citing health concerns. His lawyer claimed that Choksi is undergoing cancer treatment and argued that he does not pose a flight risk. The defense maintains that the case is politically driven and that his current health condition warrants continued stay in Belgium.
Despite these objections, Indian authorities are optimistic about securing his extradition. His detention is seen as a major breakthrough in India’s broader campaign to recover economic fugitives. The outcome of the upcoming legal proceedings in Belgium will determine whether Choksi is finally returned to face justice in India.
