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Belgian Court Denies Bail to Fugitive Mehul Choksi in ₹13,500 Cr PNB Scam

April 23, 2025, 1:18 am

In a major development, a Belgian court has denied bail to fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

Choksi was arrested in Belgium on April 12, following a request by Indian authorities. The three-judge bench hearing the matter ruled against granting him bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and his history of evading justice.

Wanted Since 2018

Mehul Choksi, 65, has been on the radar of India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since 2018. He fled India after being named a key accused in one of the country’s biggest banking frauds, involving ₹13,500 crore siphoned from PNB.

Interpol issued a red corner notice against him the same year, but it was withdrawn in 2022 after Choksi claimed he was abducted by Indian agents from Antigua and Barbuda in 2021. He had since moved to Belgium for what his lawyers say is cancer treatment.

Indian Government Pushing for Extradition

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that Indian authorities are working closely with Belgian officials to ensure Choksi’s extradition.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently stated:

“We are committed to bringing Mehul Choksi back to India to face the law. Discussions with the Belgian government are ongoing.”

Health Concerns Raised by Legal Team

Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, argued that extradition could severely affect his client’s health, claiming that Choksi suffers from cancer, PTSD, and has permanent deformities due to alleged torture during his previous detention.

“He is extremely sick. When he was picked up from Antigua by Indian agents, he suffered both physically and mentally. He still experiences claustrophobia,” Aggarwal stated.

What’s Next?

Although Choksi’s bail has been denied, the legal battle is far from over. His defense team is expected to appeal the decision and continue fighting extradition on humanitarian grounds.

Meanwhile, India is determined to bring Choksi back to face trial, marking a significant moment in the country’s pursuit of fugitive economic offenders.

When Mehul Choksi Cried ‘Abduction’ and Linked a Hungarian Woman to the ‘Honeytrap’ Scheme

April 14, 2025, 7:08 pm

Almost four years ago, before his recent Belgian arrest, Indian diamantaire fugitive Mehul Choksi was at the center of a global controversy when he was apprehended in the Dominican Republic for unauthorized entry. His arrest in the Caribbean island nation was associated with a shocking allegation that he was kidnapped by Indian agents from Antigua and Barbuda.

Choksi, a former owner of the Gitanaljali Group, is one of the key accused in the ₹12,636-crore Punjab National Bank fraud case. He had escaped India in January 2018 and found shelter in Antigua and Barbuda by gaining citizenship through the nation’s investment programme.

The Barbara Jabarika Controversy with Mehul Choksi

Amid the fallout from Mehul Choksi’s alleged abduction, a Hungarian woman named Barbara Jabarika was dragged into the spotlight. Mehul Choksi’s wife, Priti Choksi, alleged that the couple had met Jabarika in 2020 and that she was involved in a planned honeytrap operation. However, Barbara strongly refuted these accusations and dismissed suggestions that she was Choksi’s romantic partner.

“I have my own income and business. I don’t need his cash, support, hotel booking, fake jewellery, or anything,” she said.

Barbara also claimed that she had met Choksi in August 2020, when he had introduced himself as “Raj” and made the first contact. “Raj (Mehul Choksi) was the one who approached me, asked for my number and ‘befriended me’, totally the opposite of what his wife says,” Barbara said. She also disclosed that Choksi had once told her that they could meet in Cuba, which meant he was going to move there.

But Choksi accused Barbara of being an accomplice to his abduction. He said she didn’t intervene when he was being assaulted and put on a boat. He characterized her actions as suspicious and implied that she was “an integral part of this whole plan.”

Priti Choksi brushed aside the charge of ignorance brought by Barbara. “How is it possible that despite all the media attention and public furore surrounding this case, that this lady who has an Instagram account with thousands of followers was in the dark about all this, and did not come out to speak in defence of her ‘friend’?” she queried. “These bogus claims are only an attempt to present a wrong picture of my husband,” she continued.

The Dominican Republic Detention

In May 2021, Choksi surfaced in the Dominican Republic and was immediately arrested for unauthorized entry. He claimed that he was kidnapped in Antigua, tortured, and then put on a boat to the Dominican Republic. His version prompted a diplomatic and legal confrontation, with Indian authorities seeking his extradition.

Mehul Choksi’s claims included being forcibly taken by Indian operatives, and he maintained that he had no intention of traveling to the Dominican Republic. He was imprisoned there for 51 days before receiving relief from the British Queen’s Privy Council, which enabled his return to Antigua and derailed India’s extradition attempt. The charges of illegal entry were later dropped by Dominican authorities.

Interpol Red Notice Dropped to Mehul Choksi

Interpol, in March 2023, dropped a Red Notice filed against Choksi. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) responded sharply, saying that Choksi had made “false claims, concocted dramatic stories and imaginary narratives” before international forums, including the Commission for Control of Interpol’s Files, to prolong his extradition.

The agency stressed that a Red Notice is “neither a pre-requisite nor a requirement for extradition proceedings.”

Arrested Again — This Time in Belgium

Indian authorities 2024 received word that Choksi was in Belgium. Agencies promptly tipped off Belgian counterparts and provided all case files. On Saturday, Choksi was arrested on charges of attempting to escape to Switzerland. Choksi reportedly provided fake documents to get a Belgian residency card and hid his Indian and Antiguan nationality.

Priti Choksi, a Belgian citizen, has also been under the lens, although she has not been officially implicated.

Choksi’s attorney had informed a court in Mumbai earlier this year that he was unable to come back to India since he was in Belgium receiving treatment for blood cancer. His attorney, Vijay Aggarwal, said they would now move for relief in Belgium on medical grounds.

“He is undergoing cancer treatment and wants to continue it in Switzerland. He is currently not a flight risk,” Aggarwal stated. Choksialso had doubts regarding the safety of Choksi should he be extradited to India. “We believe that as soon as he arrives, he will receive inhuman treatment. He wants to protect himself from this,” added the lawyer.

Who is Barbara Jabarika? The Woman Behind Mehul Choksi’s Bizarre Honey-Trap

April 14, 2025, 7:06 pm

Indian authorities finally caught up with fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi. Over the weekend, he was arrested by Belgian police as he allegedly tried to escape to Switzerland to seek medical care. The arrest was the culmination of a determined seven-year manhunt in various nations. One of the most bizarre episodes in Choksi’s escape saga involves Barbara Jabarika, a Bulgarian property agent, who is reportedly linked to a 2021 honey-trap and abduction scheme that Choksi claims led to his forced transport from Antigua to Dominica.

Choksi’s shocking claim: Abduction by boat

After fleeing India in 2018, Mehul Choksi settled in Antigua and Barbuda by acquiring citizenship through investment. For a while, he remained low-profile. Then, in May 2021, Dominican authorities arrested him for illegal entry. Choksi responded with a startling claim: someone had abducted and tortured him, then forcibly placed him on a boat that took him from Antigua to Dominica.

He accused Barbara Jabarika of baiting him into the trap. He claimed she invited him over for dinner and used the encounter as a trap for his kidnapping.

Who is Barbara Jabarika?

Barbara represents herself on LinkedIn as a “Property Investment Agent” from Bulgaria. Based on her profile, she possesses more than a decade of experience as a direct sales and property expert. She also has skills in negotiation, leadership, and customer relations.

However, Mehul Choksi’s wife Priti tells a different story. She claims Barbara is a Hungarian national and met Choksi in 2020. According to Priti, Barbara acted under false pretenses as part of a coordinated honey-trap operation.

Barbara strikes back: ‘I Don’t Need His Money’

Barbara refuted the charges as unfounded. She denied ever having a romantic relationship with Mehul Choksi and dismissed the “girlfriend” label. She also accused Choksi of deception regarding his identity. She said he introduced himself as “Raj” and made contact by requesting her phone number.

She refused to take any interest in his money, imitation jewellery, or hotel booking. In her own words, “I have my own income and business. I don’t need anything from him.”

Can India bring Choksi back?

India may now seek Mehul Choksi’s extradition from Belgium. Yet, according to former diplomat KP Fabian, the process won’t be easy. He explained that only the Belgian government can decide on extradition. Choksi can also legally challenge the move and drag the case through lengthy appeals.

Fabian pointed out that extradition usually takes years. He gave the example of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana—India had first requested his extradition in 2008 but only reached close to it in 2025.

The Barbara Jabarika episode adds an international twist to Choksi’s ongoing legal troubles. As India closes in, the honey-trap claims, identity games, and legal hurdles continue to deepen the mystery around one of India’s most wanted fugitives.

Fugitive Mehul Choksi Arrested—Why His Return to India Isn’t Guaranteed Yet

April 14, 2025, 5:48 pm

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, wanted by Indian authorities in the ₹13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, was arrested in Belgium on Saturday by local law enforcement. The 65-year-old has been on the run since 2018 and is facing multiple charges filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Although the arrest is a milestone, lawyers and complainants caution that it may not be possible to get Mehul Choksi back to India anytime soon.

Legal Maze Ahead for India

Hariprasad, one of the complainants in the case, was skeptical about a quick extradition process. “Extradition is not an easy task. Choksi’s wallet is full, and he will employ the best lawyers in Europe to avoid the process like what Vijay Maliya has been doing. I don’t think it is going to be easy for India to get him back,” ANI quoted him as saying.

He said Choksi’s lawyers had previously managed to help him escape the law during past arrests on Caribbean islands. “When he was caught in Antigua (Dominica) and other islands, he could manage to get out of it because he has a fleet of lawyers. But I wish and hope that this time, the Indian government will succeed,” he said.

Diplomatic Challenges and Legal Rights

Ex-diplomat KP Fabian shared a guarded optimism, stating the decision rests with the Belgian government. “It will be great if it can be done, but again, Rana, how many years has he taken us? When was 26/11, 2008. And we got him in 2025. So, all these, all the extradition proceedings will take time. But there can be obstacles,” Fabian said.

He went on to clarify that Mehul Choksi has all the right to contest extradition in Belgian courts, which may take a long time. “Well, I’ll put it this way: India wants him extradited, and Belgium has to take the decision. Now, even the Belgium Internal affairs and the foreign affairs, take that decision. Choksi has the option of going to court in Belgium. And then there can be arguments, pros and cons,” he stated.

Fabian further said that Interpol had revoked the Red Corner Notice against Choksi in 2023, possibly due to its ineffectiveness. “We can’t jump to the conclusion that tomorrow or day after Belgium is going to extradite him because there is a legal process, even if the Belgian government decides, he can go to court. So, whether eventually he’ll be extradited or not at this moment we can’t say, but obviously we should try hard, as hard as necessary to get him,” he said.

Legal Defence of Mehul Choksi Raises Human Rights Concerns

After the arrest, Mehul Choksi’s attorney, Vijay Aggarwal, clearly stated that his team would oppose any attempts at extradition. Attending a press conference, Aggarwal stated, “Basically, we will be defending it on two grounds. It is a political case, and secondly, it is because of the human rights conditions in India.”

He also maintained that Choksi had never officially been a declared fugitive since he always cooperated with Indian investigating agencies. “We have always maintained in the entire court that he is ready to join, but because of his medical condition, he cannot travel. That is why we initially maintained that the Indian agency could investigate, and he will join on VC (video conference). That is why, to date, everyone has been declared a fugitive, but Mehul Choksi is not a fugitive. Our case has been going on for years now,” said Aggarwal.

Health Issues of Mehul Choksi Complicate Extradition

Adding another layer of complexity, Aggarwal highlighted Choksi’s deteriorating health. “He is extremely sick. He is undergoing treatment for cancer, and the last time he was picked up from Antigua by the Indian agencies, because of the torture, he was feeling very claustrophobic and had got some permanent deformities, as well as suffering from PTSD.”

What’s Next?

In spite of the high-profile detention, the way to extradite Mehul Choksi to India is still uncertain. Legal challenges, political considerations, and human rights concerns could put proceedings on ice for months or even years. Indian authorities will, however, push hard to return Choksi to answer for one of India’s largest financial scams.

Mehul Choksi Tried to Flee to Switzerland, But India Foiled His Escape: Report

April 14, 2025, 2:36 pm

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, who is also accused in the huge ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been detained by police in Belgium, a big relief for India’s long effort to extradite him. Choksi was detained during the weekend in Antwerp after Belgian police stopped him at Brussels Airport, apparently just before he could board a flight to Switzerland in the name of getting cancer treatment.

The arrest closes a dramatic chapter in a seven-year global manhunt that had seen surreptitious operations by Indian agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Mehul Choksi Attempted to Escape with Belgian Residence

Choksi, ex-CEO of Gitanjali Group and prime suspect in one of India’s largest financial frauds, had escaped from India in 2018 along with his nephew Nirav Modi, wife Ami Modi, and brother Neeshal Modi. He then acquired Antiguan citizenship via its investment program, making India’s extradition difficult.

Indian officials tracked Choksi’s movements across multiple countries and discovered that he had recently obtained an F-category residency card from Belgium using allegedly forged documents. According to sources cited by India Today, his wife Preeti Choksi, a Belgian national, helped him gain the residency by falsely citing humanitarian and medical grounds.

Choksi hid his dual nationality status, as he was still Indian and Antiguan, which is against Belgian residency regulations. Indian authorities also discovered that he had applied for an F+ residency card, which would have made extradition much more difficult.

Arrest Based on Indian Warrants

Moving with lightning speed, the Belgian authorities suspended the F+ residency application and arrested Mehul Choksi on the strength of two non-bailable arrest warrants given by a Mumbai court in 2018 and 2021. He is now incarcerated in a Belgian prison, and a bail hearing will take place in the next week.

Choksi’s attorney, Vijay Aggarwal, has verified the arrest and stated, “We will begin the process of filing an appeal against this, and then. we will be asking him to be removed from prison,” listing his ill health and requirement of cancer treatment as the reasons.

Not First International Tussle of Mehul Choksi

It is not the first time Choksi has been arrested outside India. In 2021, he was arrested for unlawful entry by Dominican authorities, and it led to a string of legal cases. Even after a CBI team was sent for his extradition, his lawyers persuaded the court to let him go back to Antigua for treatment. The British Queen’s Privy Council subsequently decided in his favour after he had spent 51 days in prison.

In spite of continuous setbacks, Indian agencies did not give up. When they heard about his being in Belgium, the CBI and ED forwarded a detailed dossier to local authorities, describing his involvement in the PNB scam and his consistent efforts to dodge justice.

Extradition Proceedings Begin

With the arrest, India is acting swiftly to initiate formal extradition proceedings in Belgium. Choksi had previously proposed cooperation through video conferencing on grounds of his health, but Indian authorities turned down the offer.

With Belgian authorities now on board, India may at last be one step nearer to bringing Mehul Choksi back to stand trial and retrieve the funds involved in one of the nation’s most infamous banking scams.

How Mehul Choksi Pulled Off the Rs. 13,500 Crore PNB Scam | TDG Explainer

April 14, 2025, 12:52 pm

In 2018, Punjab National Bank (PNB), India’s second-largest state-run bank, reported a colossal fraud that rocked the financial community. The Rs. 13,500 crore fraud was traced to one Mumbai branch and involved high-profile individuals like billionaire jeweller Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, the managing director of Gitanjali Gems.

Choksi was arrested in Belgium this week after India sought his extradition on account of his involvement in the PNB fraud case. Let’s read about the scam in detail and how Choksi

How the Scam Unfolded?

Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi are accused of having manipulated the banking systems of PNB in order to get fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) with the aid of colluding bank officials. These LoUs, meant for short-term financing of business deals, were taken advantage of for withdrawing huge funds in the guise of trade finance.

PNB filed its first fraud report with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on January 29, 2018, and followed it with a criminal complaint to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A second fraud report and complaint were filed on February 7, leading to an FIR against Nirav Modi’s companies, Gitanjali Group, and Chandri Paper & Allied Products Pvt Ltd by February 13. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also launched parallel investigations into alleged money laundering.

LoUs, which are usually employed for export transactions and never for retail, were the focal point of the scam. The investigators say Modi started obtaining these guarantees from PNB’s Brady House branch at Mumbai from as long ago as March 2011. During the next six years, he received 1,212 LoUs, which is a far cry from 53 authentic LoUs extended to his companies during the same timeframe.

The fraud remained undetected for years because of the collusion of bank insiders, among them then Deputy General Manager Gokulnath Shetty, who avoided PNB’s core banking systems to issue these guarantees. The money, which Modi had alleged he needed to import pearls, was diverted and laundered. Total fraudulent guarantees of $1.77 billion (Rs. 11,400 crore) were availed to obtain loans from foreign branches of Indian banks.

Modi left India in 2018 mere days before the case was made public.

Role of Mehul Choksi

Mehul Choksi was heavily involved in the scam through his firm, Gitanjali Gems, and other related firms. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) states that Choksi and his companies conspired with tainted bank officers to obtain LoUs fraudulently and illicitly increase Foreign Letter of Credit (FLC) limits outside of proper banking norms.

This resulted in huge losses for PNB but benefited the individuals and firms involved. Three charge sheets have been filed by the CBI and ED against Choksi, outlining his role in criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and embezzlement.

Shortly before the scam was revealed, Mehul Choksi escaped from India, subsequently obtaining citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda under a special investment scheme. His escape led to a prolonged legal and diplomatic tussle as Indian officials attempted his extradition.

In a dramatic turn of events in 2021, Choksi went missing in Antigua and turned up in Dominica, reportedly trying to make his way to Cuba. He accused kidnappers of abducting him, which made his extradition further difficult.

In India, there is a special court for PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) hearing the Enforcement Directorate’s appeal to make Mehul Choksi an Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO). If allowed, this will enable the government to proceed to confiscate his assets. It should be recalled that Nirav Modi was made an FEO in 2019, while the case of Choksi has been pending since 2018.

Why India Wants Mehul Choksi Back, Diamond Tycoon Arrested in Belgium | TDG Explainer

April 14, 2025, 12:38 pm

India has been trying to catch hold of the elusive diamond trader Mehul Choksi for years. But recent news on April 12 has provided a ray of hope for Indian authorities to bring him back home. The 65-year-old entrepreneur, who is accused in the gargantuan Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, was nabbed by Belgian police in Antwerp.

This arrest is a follow-up to India’s application through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Choksi is currently detained in Belgium pending extradition proceedings.

Arrest of Mehul Choksi in Belgium

The arrest of Mehul Choksi followed months of media rumors about his location. Reports established that Choksi had been staying in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a residency card in Belgium. He had relocated there from Antigua and Barbuda for medical reasons, and it was reported that he had applied for Belgian residency in 2023.

Belgian authorities confirmed Choksi’s presence in the country in late March 2023, signaling the start of intensified discussions regarding his extradition. On Saturday, April 12, the Belgian police arrested Choksi after responding to two open-ended arrest warrants issued by a Mumbai court. These warrants were dated May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021, and were linked to the PNB scam.

Extradition of Mehul Choksi: A Complicated Process

Even after his arrest, Choksi is likely to seek bail, claiming poor health as a major reason for his release. But Punjab National Bank scam whistleblower Hariprasad SV opines that the extradition process is going to be a tough one. In his view, Choksi is likely to engage the best lawyers in Europe to prevent extradition, just like other high-profile fugitives like Vijay Mallya have done in the past.

Extradition is not a straightforward process. Choksi has a fat wallet, and he will hire the best attorneys in Europe to dodge the process like Vijay Mallya has been doing. I don’t think it will be easy for India to bring him back,” Hariprasad said in an interview with ANI. He further mentioned that Choksi had once dodged extradition when he was arrested in Dominica.

Mehul Choksi’s Background and Flight from India

Mehul Choksi is the owner of the Gitanjali Group, a prominent retail jewelry firm with over 4,000 stores across India. Born in Punjab, India, Choksi followed in his family’s footsteps, becoming a successful businessman. He gained notoriety in early 2018 when he, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, was implicated in one of the largest banking frauds in India’s history. Choksi and Modi are said to have cheated the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore through fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs), which were sanctioned by corrupt bank officials.

Mehul Choksi and Modi had left India in January 2018, before the PNB fraud to its full extent was made public. Choksi had already obtained citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda by May 2017 and swore allegiance to the nation in January 2018. After the scandal, Choksi lived in Antigua and Barbuda until 2021, when he was found in Dominica after trying to escape to Cuba. After being arrested by Dominican authorities, Choksi was given residency in Belgium in 2023, making it even more difficult for him to be extradited to India.

PNB Scam and Legal Issues

The PNB loan scam case, in which Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi were accused, was the largest banking fraud in Indian history. Choksi and Modi allegedly issued fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) to drain the money from the bank. The LoUs enabled the accused to raise credit from abroad despite no security being issued as collateral, resulting in huge losses for the bank.

In addition to the PNB fraud, Choksi has also had legal issues with other banks. It has been reported that his business, Gitanjali Gems, defaulted on loans borrowed from ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). He has also been accused of breaking multiple Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) laws in India.

Choksi is currently facing multiple charges, including money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), criminal conspiracy, and cheating under the Indian Penal Code. His legal battles continue, with Indian authorities determined to bring him to justice.

Choksi’s Claims of Health Issues

Throughout the extradition process, Choksi has maintained that he is suffering from blood cancer and is unfit to travel. His attorneys have employed this as a defense, claiming that his health condition would render him incapable of making the trip back to India. Indian authorities, however, have responded by suggesting that if Choksi could fly from Antigua to Belgium for medical care, he ought to be able to travel back to India, where proper medical facilities are in place.

Meanwhile, his nephew, Nirav Modi, remains incarcerated in the UK, where he is contesting extradition proceedings. While Modi’s case progresses through the UK courts, Choksi’s arrest in Belgium represents a crucial step in India’s efforts to hold both men accountable for their role in the PNB scam.

Mehul Choksi’s Lawyer to File Bail Agianst Arrest in Belgium, Citing Cancer Treatment

April 14, 2025, 11:53 am

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted in the Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was arrested in Belgium on Saturday following India’s extradition request. His legal team has now announced that they are preparing to file an appeal against his arrest.

Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, on Monday confirmed that the appeal will be for his release on bail. “Our appeal seeking his release on bail will mainly be on the ground that (due to) his medical condition, he is undergoing treatment for cancer. We will also be arguing that he is not a flight risk,” Aggarwal said to The Indian Express.

He also observed that the appeal could only be made after five days, which is the shortest time for a hearing to be arranged.

Mehul Choksi Faces Charges Under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act

Mehul Choksi has been identified as a prime accused in the 2018 PNB scam, where fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) were allegedly used to provide financial gains to him and others with the connivance of bank officials. The scam resulted in huge losses to the public sector bank.

Since leaving India, Choksi has been beyond the reach of Indian authorities, leading the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to approach the special court under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. The ED filed its plea in 2018 to declare Choksi a fugitive economic offender. If approved, this would enable authorities to seize his assets even before a trial.

Medical Grounds and Legal Strategy

Choksi, who is an Antigua and Barbuda citizen, had earlier this year allegedly flown to Belgium to receive immediate medical care for cancer. His lawyers had made the argument in earlier court hearings that he was medically unfit to travel to India, based on advice against long-distance travel from medical professionals.

The Mumbai special court is continuing to hear various applications made by Choksi opposing the decision to name him a fugitive. His lawyers are likely to appear before the Belgian court with their bail application in the coming few days.

Belgium Detains Mehul Choksi for Extradition Over Rs.13,500-Crore PNB Loan Fraud

April 14, 2025, 8:36 am

Mehul Choksi, the fugitive diamantaire, was arrested by Belgian authorities in response to India’s extradition request. This development comes after reports revealed that he had been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi.

India Pushes for Choksi’s Extradition

In March, Associated Times reported that Indian authorities had formally requested Choksi’s extradition to India. This request followed reports that he was residing in Belgium after obtaining a residency card.

Background and Allegations Against Choksi

Mehul Choksi, the founder of Gitanjali Gems, is wanted by Indian authorities in connection with the ₹13,500-crore PNB fraud case. Previously, Choksi lived in Antigua and Barbuda before relocating to Belgium. In November 2023, he was granted Belgian residency. Additionally, his wife, Preeti Choksi, is a Belgian citizen.

Allegations of Fraudulent Documents

According to Associated Times, Choksi allegedly submitted fraudulent documents to the Belgian authorities in order to gain residency. Reports claim he forged papers, made false declarations, and failed to disclose his Indian and Antiguan citizenships. Consequently, he misrepresented his nationality to avoid the threat of extradition.

Plans to Move to Switzerland

Moreover, sources revealed that Choksi was planning to relocate to Switzerland for medical treatment. His lawyer had informed a Mumbai court in February that Choksi was in Belgium for treatment of suspected cancer. This move raised suspicions about his intentions to escape further legal proceedings.

Choksi’s Connection to Nirav Modi

Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of orchestrating the PNB fraud by obtaining fraudulent letters of undertaking. This scam caused a significant financial scandal. While Nirav Modi remains imprisoned in the UK, Choksi made headlines in May 2021 when he disappeared from Antigua, only to be later found and sent back to the country.

Legal Proceedings in India

In India, a special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court is hearing the Enforcement Directorate’s plea to declare Mehul Choksi a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO). If granted, this ruling would allow the government to take action to seize his assets. It is worth noting that Nirav Modi was declared an FEO in 2019, while Choksi’s case has been pending since 2018.

Mehul Choksi Confirmed in Belgium, Extradition Efforts Underway

March 26, 2025, 10:51 am

Mehul Choksi, a diamond dealer on the run and among India’s most wanted in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been officially reported to be in Belgium. The Belgian foreign ministry has confirmed his presence, stating that they “attaches great importance and attention to it.” But Belgium has not made any comment about specific cases.

Despite this, Belgium’s Foreign Ministry stated that “the FPS Foreign Affairs continues to closely follow the developments in this important case.” The confirmation comes as Indian authorities are actively working to secure Choksi’s extradition. Reports from Associate Times indicate that Indian officials have reached out to their Belgian counterparts to initiate the extradition process. This comes after Choksi’s role in the Rs 13,500-crore PNB loan scam for which he is being accused, together with his nephew Nirav Modi.

Mehul Choksi Whereabouts and Background

Mehul Choksi, aged 65 and on wanted list in India for the gigantic fraud, has been living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a Belgian national. It is unverified but reported that Mehul Choksi and his wife might have been granted an ‘F Residency Card.’ Even after taking Antigua and Barbuda citizenship before escaping from India, he stayed back in Belgium after undergoing medical treatment outside India.

Mehul Choksi and Modi had left India in January 2018, a few weeks prior to the PNB scam going public. Choksi was then already an Antiguan citizen. The fraud was later estimated to be Rs 13,500 crore, which rocked India’s banking sector.

Extradition and Legal Battles

While Choksi is in Belgium, his nephew Nirav Modi is under arrest in London awaiting extradition on the same charge of fraud. Choksi’s lawyers have claimed that the charges against him are politically motivated and that his Indian assets were illegally confiscated by the Enforcement Directorate.

Choksi was detained in Dominica in 2021 after attempting to flee to Cuba but has since managed to evade extradition to India. As Belgian authorities trail behind him, the quest for justice continues, with Indian authorities insisting that he be returned to face the charges.

Indian Fugitive Mehul Choksi Resides in Belgium, India Seeks Extradition

March 23, 2025, 2:08 pm

Indian fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is said to be living in Antwerp, Belgium, along with his wife, Belgian citizen Preeti Choksi. Choksi, who has been on the run from Indian authorities for years, received an ‘F Residency Card’ in Belgium on November 15, 2023.

Sources have indicated that Preeti was a central figure in facilitating Choksi to obtain residency in Belgium. While attempting to obtain the residency, Choksi is said to have used false and forged documents, such as false statements and forged documents. Furthermore, he is said not to have made declarations regarding his Indian and Antigua citizenships.

Indian authorities have sought the extradition of Choksi to be tried on charges in connection with the high-profile Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case. His new Belgian residency, however, makes it difficult, providing him with the freedom to go anywhere within Europe nations and preventing him from returning to India for trial.

Plans to Move to Switzerland

Compounding the situation, Choksi is also said to be making plans to move to Switzerland for treatment at the Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, a well-known hospital for cancer care. The action is seen as yet another attempt to delay his extradition, and Choksi will likely cite humanitarian grounds as the justification.

The PNB Fraud and FEO Declaration

Choksi’s fraudulent activities, particularly his involvement in the massive PNB scam, have led to him being declared a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) by the Indian government. The PNB fraud, in which Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi defrauded the bank of over Rs 14,000 crore, remains one of the largest financial scams in Indian banking history.

Mehul Choksi Found in Belgium, India Starts Extradition Process

March 22, 2025, 11:17 pm

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of ₹13,850 crore, has been found living in Belgium’s Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a Belgian citizen. Reports suggest that Choksi obtained an “F residency card” in Belgium on November 15, 2023, through his wife.

India Begins Extradition Process

Indian authorities have contacted Belgian officials to initiate the process of extraditing Choksi to India. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been pursuing him since he fled India in January 2018 after the PNB fraud surfaced.

Fabricated Papers for Residency?

According to a report by Associates Times, Choksi allegedly used misleading and fabricated documents to secure residency in Belgium. If his temporary residency status converts into permanent residency, it could grant him the freedom to travel across Europe, complicating India’s extradition efforts.

Possible Move to Switzerland for Treatment

Reports also suggest that Choksi may be planning to move to Switzerland for treatment at Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, a cancer hospital. He may attempt to use humanitarian grounds to resist extradition.

Legal Troubles and Financial Recovery

In May 2024, Choksi told a special Mumbai court that he was unable to return to India due to “reasons beyond his control.” This statement came after the ED sought to declare him a fugitive economic offender and seize his properties.

Past Escape and Allegations

Choksi previously went missing from Antigua in May 2021, leading to speculation that he was kidnapped by Indian authorities. However, this claim was proven false when he was located on another Caribbean island, Dominica.

Nirav Modi and Legal Battle in the UK

Choksi’s nephew, Nirav Modi, another accused in the PNB fraud case, is also fighting extradition to India, but in the United Kingdom