Indian officials to attend next hearing as Belgium prepares legal action in Mehul Choksi case
PTC Web Desk: Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium, and India has formally requested his extradition in connection with the Rs 12,636 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. The arrest took place on April 12, when Belgian police detained Choksi as he was reportedly preparing to flee to Switzerland for medical treatment.
Confirming the arrest, the Belgian Federal Public Service of Justice stated on April 14 that the Indian authorities had already submitted an official extradition request. Choksi is currently being held in a Belgian jail while legal proceedings move forward. The authorities in Belgium have assured that Choksi has access to legal counsel, and a team of Indian officials is set to travel to Belgium to assist and expedite the extradition process.
Choksi, a key accused in one of India’s biggest financial frauds, had fled the country in 2018 and took citizenship in Antigua through a citizenship-by-investment programme. However, in a calculated move, he managed to secure an F residency card from Belgium on November 15, 2024, using documents linked to his wife, Preeti Choksi, who is a Belgian national. His arrest has opened the door for the Indian authorities to push aggressively for his return to face charges at home.
The Punjab National Bank fraud, which involved fraudulent letters of undertaking, implicated Mehul Choksi, his nephew Nirav Modi, wife Ami Modi, and brother Neeshal Modi. The scam caused massive financial damage to the state-owned bank and sparked international investigations. Indian officials now hope that with the strong evidence they’ve collected, Belgian courts will approve the extradition request, allowing Choksi to be brought back to India and stand trial.
Choksi’s legal team, led by lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, has confirmed plans to appeal the arrest and seek bail, citing his deteriorating health and ongoing cancer treatment as the primary grounds. However, sources indicate that his bail hearing will take place only after at least a week, during which time he will remain in jail. Indian authorities are preparing a detailed legal strategy to ensure Choksi remains in custody and that the extradition process moves forward swiftly.
- With inputs from agencies
