Mehul Choksi Nabbed by Belgian Police Following CBI Alert
Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, a key accused in the massive $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud, was arrested in Belgium on Saturday following an alert issued by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Belgian authorities acted swiftly on the red corner notice and other legal documentation provided by Indian officials, detaining the 65-year-old who had long evaded arrest by shuttling between various jurisdictions, including Antigua and Dominica in the past.
Reports confirmed the arrest on Monday, triggering renewed efforts by Indian enforcement agencies to formally initiate extradition proceedings under the existing India-Belgium Extradition Treaty. Choksi is currently lodged in a Belgian jail and is reportedly planning to seek bail on medical grounds, a strategy he previously employed during his detention in Dominica in 2021.
Highlights:
Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium following CBI-led operation.
Indian authorities to file formal extradition request under existing treaty.
Choksi expected to seek release citing health concerns.
Extradition Likely Under India-Belgium Treaty as Legal Teams Mobilize
India’s legal apparatus is expected to fast-track the extradition request under the bilateral treaty signed with Belgium, leveraging the seriousness of charges related to the PNB fraud case. According to officials, the treaty allows extradition for financial crimes that carry sentences over one year, which includes charges of criminal conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, and corruption—offenses Choksi has been charged with under multiple Indian laws including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Officials believe that the arrest in Belgium presents one of the clearest windows yet for Indian authorities to bring Choksi back, especially in light of the less complicated diplomatic and legal environment compared to his prior stays in Caribbean nations.
Highlights:
India’s extradition treaty with Belgium covers serious economic offenses.
Legal preparations underway to present full case file and arrest warrants.
Indian agencies view Belgium arrest as stronger legal opportunity for repatriation.
Choksi and Nirav Modi: Central Figures in India’s Largest Banking Fraud
Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi, both diamantaires, are the main accused in the Rs 14,000 crore fraud involving the misuse of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) issued by Punjab National Bank (PNB). The fraud, which first came to light in 2018, remains the largest banking scam in Indian history. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI have both filed charge sheets accusing the duo of orchestrating a vast network of shell companies to siphon funds abroad under fraudulent guarantees issued without proper authorization.
Nirav Modi is currently imprisoned in the United Kingdom, contesting his extradition to India, while Choksi had acquired Antiguan citizenship before fleeing further to evade capture. His movements and alleged kidnapping claims in Dominica led to a diplomatic standoff in 2021, delaying previous repatriation attempts.
Highlights:
Choksi and Nirav Modi accused in Rs 14,000 crore PNB LoU scam.
Indian agencies filed multiple charges of fraud, money laundering, criminal breach of trust.
Choksi previously held Antiguan citizenship, which may now complicate consular access.
