Mehul Choksi Arrested / PNB loan scam accused fugitive Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium

Mehul Choksi Arrested: Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, the prime accused in India's much talked about Rs 13,500 crore PNB loan scam, has been arrested in Belgium. The arrest was made on April 12 on the appeal of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Choksi is currently lodged in a Belgian jail and Indian agencies have expedited the process of his extradition.

Fleeing from Antigua to Belgium

Mehul Choksi had obtained a loan of Rs 13,500 crore through fraud from Punjab National Bank in the year 2017-18. He fled the country with his nephew Nirav Modi even before the matter became public in January 2018. Nirav Modi was later arrested in London, while Choksi took Antigua citizenship and took refuge there.

In late 2021, Choksi fled from Antigua and reached Belgium, where he was living in Antwerp with his wife Preeti Choksi. According to reports, his wife has Belgian citizenship, on the basis of which Choksi had obtained an 'F Residency Card' there. Choksi tried to obtain permanent residence in Belgium citing health reasons, but it has now come to light that he used misleading and fabricated documents for this.

Arrest and legal maneuvers

Choksi's arrest has been made on the basis of CBI's Interpol notice. Now the Indian government is formally contacting the Belgian government for his extradition. However, Choksi's lawyers are trying to get bail in the court citing issues like health and human rights.

The Associated Press report claims that Choksi has been constantly resorting to false claims and papers to avoid extradition to India. Earlier in 2021, when he was allegedly trying to flee to Cuba, he was caught in Dominica. At that time too, he had alleged that the Government of India was hatching a political conspiracy against him and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had illegally seized his properties.

India's hopes and next step

Choksi's arrest is considered an important step for India, especially at a time when the government is constantly working towards bringing back foreign fugitives. If the extradition is successful, it could prove to be a major turning point in the investigation and justice process of the PNB scam.

Now all eyes are on the Belgian court, where it will be decided whether Mehul Choksi will be extradited to India or not. If the court rules in India's favor, Choksi can soon be brought to India, where he will have to face legal action by being produced in court.