India Ramps Up Efforts to Extradite Mehul Choksi from Belgium, Vows to Use All Legal Channels

New Delhi/Antwerp, April 14: In a major development in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, India has intensified its push for the extradition of fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi from Belgium, where he was reportedly arrested over the weekend. The government, according to official sources, is determined to bring him back and has vowed to utilize all legal tools available to ensure his return.

Choksi’s Global Trail: From India to Antigua to Belgium

Mehul Choksi fled India in January 2018, just weeks before the PNB scam came to light. He had applied for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in 2017, which was approved. He became a citizen officially in January 2018 and settled in the Caribbean nation. However, recent reports indicate that Choksi and his wife, Preeti Choksi, who holds Belgian citizenship, had been residing in Antwerp, Belgium, where he obtained a residency card.

Following his arrest in Belgium, Choksi’s lawyer Vijay Aggarwal told reporters, “My client is not a flight risk. He is extremely sick and undergoing treatment for cancer.”

India Determined to Bring Choksi Back

As per NDTV reports, the Indian government has already submitted a request to deport Choksi and is closely coordinating with Belgian authorities. This move is seen as a significant step in India’s ongoing effort to crack down on high-profile economic offenders.

If successful, this will mark India’s second major extradition in 2024, following the return of Tahawwur Rana — an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks — from the United States earlier this year.

What Is the PNB Scam?

The scam involving Mehul Choksi and his companies — including Gitanjali Gems Limited — revolves around the fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) by Punjab National Bank officials, which led to financial losses exceeding ₹13,500 crore.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have both initiated criminal proceedings against Choksi. The ED has accused him of money laundering and siphoning funds to offshore accounts.

In December 2023, a new CBI probe accused Choksi of diverting an additional ₹6,700 crore in a separate loan fraud case.

Legal Action and Asset Auction

In a significant move in February this year, a Mumbai special court handling PMLA cases allowed the auction of 13 properties linked to Gitanjali Gems. The court, led by Judge SM Menjoge, emphasized the need to prevent the properties from falling into disrepair and losing value.

Choksi is currently facing charges under:

• Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
• Indian Penal Code sections for cheating and criminal conspiracy
• Prevention of Corruption Act

His nephew Nirav Modi, also a key accused in the same scam, is currently in the United Kingdom, fighting his extradition to India.

Conclusion: A Test Case for India’s Global Fugitive Policy

The case of Mehul Choksi is seen as a test of India’s diplomatic and legal machinery to bring back fugitive economic offenders. With rising public pressure and increasing scrutiny of white-collar crime, the government’s firm stand sends a clear message: no one is above the law, no matter where they try to hide.