NEW DELHI — 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.
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.
Choksi will meet same fate as Rana
Following the arrest of Choksi, political leaders across the spectrum hailed the development as a significant success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy, expressing confidence that the accused will soon be extradited to India.
Reacting to the arrest, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, “The government under the leadership of Narendra Modi has achieved this due to its successful foreign policy. This is part of a broader strategic approach.”
Echoing the sentiment, Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said, “The Modi government follows a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. Anyone who has looted the country’s poor will not be spared. Choksi’s arrest is part of this commitment, and after due process, he will be brought to India.”
Choksi, a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, had been residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a Belgian citizen. He left Antigua, reportedly for cancer treatment and was planning to move to Switzerland.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao told IANS, “This is a legal and judicial process. Under PM Modi’s leadership, the government remains firm on its zero-tolerance approach to corruption and is pursuing every legal route to bring such offenders to justice.”
Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Sarang stated, “This is the Narendra Modi government — zero tolerance for corruption, zero tolerance for terrorism. It is a major victory for our foreign policy. Tahawwur Rana is here, and soon Choksi will also be here.”
Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar said the people of India expect accountability: “Public sentiment is clear — anyone who loots India will not be spared.”
Maharashtra BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar added, “Using the Geetanjali brand name, Choksi looted crores from Indian banks and fled. His arrest is a welcome step, and the legal procedures for his return must follow.”
BJP MP Brij Lal said confidently, “Just like Tahawwur Rana, India will bring Mehul Choksi back.”
However, Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, speaking to IANS, said that the extradition is not a straightforward process.
“India’s extradition request in the Sanjay Bhandari case was rejected. We will appeal Choksi’s arrest in Belgium, citing his medical condition and concerns over fair trial and human rights,” Aggarwal said.
Choksi, he claimed, is undergoing cancer treatment.
“He deserves the right to continue his treatment in Switzerland. Moreover, there are security risks and media pressure back home, which could affect the fairness of his trial,” the lawyer added. –IANS
