New Delhi— India is actively coordinating with Belgian authorities to extradite fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi, who was recently arrested in Belgium in connection with the multi-billion-rupee Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday.
“Based on our extradition request, he was arrested in Belgium. We are working closely with the Belgian side for his extradition to India so that he can face trial in the country,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a regular media briefing in New Delhi.
Choksi, 65, was taken into custody in Antwerp on April 12 following a formal extradition request from India. The Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) of Justice, which oversees the country’s judicial processes and supports the Minister of Justice, confirmed the arrest and acknowledged receipt of India’s request.
“Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, April 12, 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured,” the Belgian FPS stated. While declining to provide further details due to ongoing legal proceedings, the agency confirmed that the extradition process is underway.
Choksi, who reportedly holds a Belgian residency card, has been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a Belgian citizen. His arrest marks a significant development in India’s efforts to bring him to justice in one of the country’s largest banking fraud cases.
Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are both wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding PNB of ₹13,850 crore (approximately $1.66 billion). The duo is accused of orchestrating a massive scam involving the misuse of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs) with the alleged help of corrupt officials at the bank’s Brady House branch in Mumbai.
The CBI has filed multiple charges against Choksi, Nirav Modi, their companies, and several bank employees, citing conspiracy, cheating, and corruption.
Both Choksi and Nirav Modi fled India in January 2018, just weeks before the fraud came to light. While Choksi has been in Belgium, Nirav Modi is currently incarcerated in the United Kingdom, fighting extradition to India in a separate legal battle.
The Indian government remains committed to ensuring Choksi’s return to face trial, with officials expressing confidence that the legal cooperation with Belgium will lead to his extradition in due course. (Source: IANS)
