Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 17: The Indian government is stepping up efforts to bring fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi back to face justice, following his arrest in Belgium earlier this month. Choksi, a key accused in the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, was detained in Antwerp on April 12, based on India’s formal extradition request.
Addressing the media in New Delhi on Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Choksi was arrested in Belgium on the basis of our extradition request. We are working closely with Belgian authorities to secure his return so he can stand trial in India.”
Belgium’s Federal Public Service (FPS) of Justice confirmed Choksi’s arrest and acknowledged India’s request for extradition. “Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on April 12, 2025. He is currently being held pending judicial proceedings,” the FPS stated, ensuring that he has access to legal counsel.
The FPS, which functions similarly to a Ministry of Justice, emphasized that further details are withheld due to the ongoing nature of the case. It oversees judicial support services, coordination, and guarantees the fair execution of legal decisions.
Choksi, 65, had been living in Belgium with his wife Preeti Choksi, a Belgian national, reportedly using a local residency permit. His arrest marks a significant development in India’s efforts to bring back fugitives tied to major financial frauds.
Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are both wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for orchestrating one of India’s biggest banking scams. The duo allegedly secured fraudulent credit guarantees from PNB’s Brady House branch in Mumbai by bribing bank officials, later using these LoUs and FLCs to siphon funds overseas.
The scam came to light in early 2018, by which time both Choksi and Modi had already fled India. While Modi remains in custody in the United Kingdom, Choksi had previously been based in Antigua and Barbuda, where he acquired citizenship, before quietly relocating to Belgium.
With the legal process in motion, Indian authorities remain hopeful that Choksi will soon be extradited and held accountable in Indian courts.