Belgian Court Rejects Fugitive Mehul Choksi’s Bail Plea
Mehul Choksi, the fugitive businessman accused of being involved in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam worth ₹13,500 crore, has had his bail plea rejected by a court in Belgium. The decision was made after a three-judge bench heard arguments from both sides before ruling against granting bail to Choksi.
Choksi, who was detained in Belgium after India’s probe agencies, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), moved for his extradition, has been fighting to avoid extradition to India. His lawyers had argued that he was not a flight risk and that he would not interfere with the investigation if granted bail.
However, the court was not convinced by these arguments and denied Choksi’s bail plea. The exact reasons for the court’s decision are not yet clear, but it is likely that the court took into account the seriousness of the allegations against Choksi and the fact that he has been accused of fleeing the country to avoid facing justice.
Choksi’s detention in Belgium followed a dramatic turn of events, as he had been living in Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean nation with a reputation for being a haven for fugitives. However, after India’s probe agencies moved for his extradition, Choksi was detained by Belgian authorities and has been in custody since.
The Punjab National Bank scam, in which Choksi is accused of playing a key role, is one of the largest banking frauds in Indian history. The scam involved the misappropriation of funds by a group of bank officials and businessmen, including Choksi, who allegedly used fraudulent letters of credit to withdraw large sums of money from the bank.
Choksi’s companies, Gitanjali Gems and Nakshatra Brands, were major beneficiaries of the scam, and the businessman was accused of using the funds to finance his business ventures. The scam was uncovered in 2018, and since then, several high-ranking bank officials and businessmen have been arrested and charged in connection with the fraud.
Choksi’s extradition to India is likely to be a complex and lengthy process, as it often is in cases involving fugitives. However, the rejection of his bail plea is a significant development, as it increases the likelihood that he will be extradited to India to face trial.
The Indian government has been keen to bring Choksi back to face justice, and the rejection of his bail plea is a major victory for the government. The government has accused Choksi of using his wealth and influence to evade justice, and the rejection of his bail plea is seen as a major blow to his attempts to avoid extradition.
In a statement, the Indian government welcomed the court’s decision, saying that it was a significant step towards bringing Choksi to justice. The government also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those who commit financial crimes are held accountable, regardless of their wealth or influence.
The rejection of Choksi’s bail plea is also seen as a major setback for his lawyers, who had argued that he was not a flight risk and that he would not interfere with the investigation if granted bail. The lawyers had also argued that Choksi’s health was deteriorating, and that he required medical attention that was not available in India.
However, the court was not persuaded by these arguments, and instead, ruled that Choksi’s detention was necessary to prevent him from fleeing the country. The court also ordered that Choksi be kept in custody until his extradition hearing, which is likely to take several weeks or even months.
In conclusion, the rejection of Mehul Choksi’s bail plea by a Belgian court is a significant development in the ongoing saga of the Punjab National Bank scam. The decision increases the likelihood that Choksi will be extradited to India to face trial, and it is a major victory for the Indian government’s efforts to bring those responsible for the scam to justice.
The case is likely to continue to unfold over the coming weeks and months, and it will be important to monitor developments closely. In the meantime, Choksi’s lawyers are likely to appeal the court’s decision, and the case may ultimately end up in the Belgian Supreme Court.
