New Delhi: The Government of India announced on Thursday that it is working closely with Belgian authorities to expedite the extradition of fugitive diamond businessman Mehul Choksi so he can face trial in India for his alleged involvement in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “He has been arrested in Belgium based on India’s extradition request. We are working with Belgian authorities to bring him back to India and proceed with the legal process.”
The Belgian government confirmed on Monday that the 65-year-old Choksi was arrested in Antwerp on Saturday, following an extradition request from India. Choksi had fled the country in January 2018. According to sources, India initially sent an extradition request to Belgium in September 2024, which was followed by another request via the Ministry of External Affairs earlier this year, facilitated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Choksi’s Bail Plea in the Works
Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, stated that they are in the process of filing a bail application. “The bail plea will be primarily based on his medical condition, as he is undergoing treatment for cancer. We will also argue that he is not a flight risk,” Aggarwal said.
Choksi and Nirav Modi: Key Accused in PNB Scam
Mehul Choksi, along with his nephew and fellow diamond trader Nirav Modi, and several family members, are the main accused in the ₹13,000 crore PNB scam that was uncovered in 2018 at the Brady House branch in Mumbai. Nirav Modi is currently in a London jail, where India is also seeking his extradition. He was arrested in 2019 following extradition requests by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI, and has already been declared a fugitive economic offender.
Both the CBI and ED have filed multiple charge sheets and prosecution complaints against Choksi and Modi.
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