Jobaaj Stories
Fugitive Businessman Located After Seven Years
Mehul Choksi, the billionaire diamond trader wanted in India for his alleged role in the $1.8 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, has been found in Belgium. Indian agencies have been tracking Choksi for the past seven years after he left the country just before the scandal broke in 2018.
Medical Treatment Brought Him to Belgium
Choksi, 65, had been living in Antigua and Barbuda since 2018, where he gained citizenship under its investment program. However, recent reports confirm that he traveled to Belgium for medical treatment. According to his lawyer, Choksi is undergoing treatment for suspected cancer.
The Indian government received confirmation from Belgium’s foreign ministry that Choksi is indeed in the country and that Indian authorities have sent a formal request for his extradition.
India's Relentless Pursuit
Indian investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), have been chasing Choksi across international borders. He was briefly detained in Dominica in 2021 under suspicious circumstances, allegedly while trying to escape to Cuba. That attempt failed, and he was sent back to Antigua.
Despite setbacks, Indian authorities continued gathering evidence and pushing legal channels to ensure his return. Now, with Choksi’s confirmed presence in Belgium, they see another opportunity to bring him back to India to face trial.
Extradition Process Underway
The Indian government has officially started the extradition process. Belgium has not opposed the request but will review it under their legal framework. Choksi’s Belgian residency could complicate the case, especially since his wife, Preeti Choksi, is a Belgian citizen.
India is also working to declare Choksi a “fugitive economic offender” under its laws. This status would allow the government to seize his assets in India and abroad.
Why Choksi Matters to India
Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is accused of using fake letters of undertaking (LoUs) from Punjab National Bank to fraudulently obtain massive overseas loans. The scam is considered one of India’s biggest banking frauds.
While Nirav Modi is currently in the United Kingdom facing extradition proceedings, Choksi has tried to stay ahead of the law by changing countries and using legal loopholes. His arrest and return to India would be a major breakthrough for Indian enforcement agencies.
What Happens Next?
As of now, Choksi remains in Belgium under medical care. Belgian authorities have acknowledged India’s request but have not given a timeline for their decision.
If extradited, Choksi would face charges related to money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and cheating under Indian law. The Indian government has made it clear that they intend to bring him back no matter how long it takes.
