Mehul Choksi is in Belgium, India Seeking his Extradition: Report
In a shocking turn of events, fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi has reportedly resurfaced in Belgium, where he is said to be living with his wife Preeti. According to a recent report, Indian authorities have requested Belgium authorities to begin the extradition process to bring Choksi back to India, where he is wanted for defrauding Punjab National Bank of a massive ₹13,850 crore.
Choksi, who was allegedly involved in one of the largest banking frauds in Indian history, had gone missing in May 2022. He was later found to be living in Antigua and Barbuda, where he claimed he had gone for medical treatment. However, it seems that Choksi has now moved to Belgium, where he has obtained an ‘F residency card’ since November 2023, according to officials.
The news of Choksi’s whereabouts was first reported by NDTV, citing sources in the Indian government. The report states that Choksi, along with his wife Preeti, has been living in Antwerp, Belgium. The 61-year-old businessman is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, which is estimated to have caused a loss of over ₹13,850 crore to the bank.
Choksi’s alleged fraud was uncovered in 2018, when it was discovered that he had used fake guarantees to secure loans from PNB. The scam was allegedly orchestrated by Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi, who is also wanted in India. Both Choksi and Modi have denied any wrongdoing and have claimed that they are innocent.
Despite being a fugitive, Choksi has been able to move freely around the world, taking advantage of his wealth and connections to evade law enforcement. However, it seems that his luck may have finally run out, as Indian authorities have now requested Belgium authorities to begin the extradition process.
According to the report, Choksi left Antigua and Barbuda for medical treatment, which is a common tactic used by fugitives to avoid extradition. However, Indian authorities are aware of his true intentions and are determined to bring him back to face justice.
The extradition process is likely to be a complex and lengthy one, as Choksi will likely contest his extradition and use every available legal avenue to avoid being sent back to India. However, India is determined to bring him back and has already begun the process of gathering evidence and preparing its case against him.
The news of Choksi’s extradition is a significant victory for Indian authorities, who have been working tirelessly to track him down and bring him to justice. The case has been a major embarrassment for the Indian government, which has faced criticism for its handling of the scam.
The extradition of Choksi will also be a major blow to his business empire, which has been built on the back of his alleged fraud. His companies, including Gitanjali Gems and Nakshatra, have been frozen by Indian authorities, and his assets have been seized.
In conclusion, the news of Mehul Choksi’s extradition is a significant development in the case against him. Despite his best efforts to evade law enforcement, Choksi has finally been tracked down and is now facing extradition to India. The case is a reminder that justice will eventually catch up with those who think they can outrun the law.
