THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, April 14: The prime accused in Rs 13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case and long-absconding diamond merchant Mehul Choksi has finally been arrested in Belgium. He was taken into custody on April 12 from a hospital in Belgium where he had been admitted for treatment.
According to sources, Mehul Choksi was planning to flee from Belgium to Switzerland, but he was apprehended before he could escape. The fugitive Mehul Choksi was arrested at the request of Indian investigative agencies, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Following his arrest, every effort will be made to bring him back to India. However, Choksi is expected to attempt to delay the extradition process.
Notably, Choksi’s nephew, Nirav Modi, is also a co-accused in this high-profile scam and is currently facing extradition proceedings in London.
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Court Rejects Health Grounds, Clears Way for Arrest
According to sources, Choksi had long been evading extradition by citing health reasons. His lawyers had claimed that he was suffering from blood cancer and therefore could not be extradited to India.
However, agencies argued before the Belgian court that if Choksi could travel from Antigua to Belgium for treatment, he could similarly receive medical care in India.
Acting on this argument, the Belgian police took action and arrested Mehul Choksi. The Government of India had officially requested Choksi’s extradition in September 2024.
Years on the Run: From Antigua to Dominica and Beyond
Mehul Choksi fled India in 2018 after the Rs 13,000 crore PNB scam came to light and settled in Antigua. In May 2021, he mysteriously disappeared from Antigua as well, and reports later surfaced that he was in Dominica.
However, Choksi alleged that he had been kidnapped by Indian agencies. Based on this claim, Interpol even revoked the Red Corner Notice issued against him.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took action against the fugitive Choksi by provisionally attaching 41 immovable properties worth around ₹1,217 crore, including valuable land and bungalows located in Mumbai, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Surat.
