NEW DELHI: Government on Thursday said it is “working closely with Belgium authorities” to bring fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi back to India to face trial in the country.
Addressing a weekly media briefing in the capital, Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Based on our extradition request, he was arrested. We are working closely with the Belgium side on his extradition, so that he can face trial in the country.”
The Belgium Federal Public Service of Justice verified that Choksi was taken into custody on April 12 and remains in detention.
“The Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that Mr. Mehul Choksi was arrested on Saturday, 12th of April 2025. He is being detained in anticipation of further judicial proceedings. Access to his legal counsel has been assured,” the Belgium federal public service of Justice earlier told ANI.
They further confirmed that Indian authorities have submitted a formal extradition request for Choksi.
“Finally, the Belgian federal public service of Justice can confirm that the Indian authorities have introduced an extradition request for Mr. Choksi. As is standard in individual cases, no further details can be released at this stage,” they added.
The arrest was executed based on two non-bailable warrants issued by a Mumbai court on May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021, according to informed sources.
Mehul Choksi, aged 65, departed India on January 2, 2018. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) seek him regarding the Rs 13,850 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case. His nephew, Nirav Modi, faces similar charges.
Choksi allegedly collaborated with associates and certain PNB officials between 2014 and 2017 to improperly obtain Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit, causing the bank a loss of Rs 6,097.63 crore.
His nephew, Nirav Modi, has been imprisoned in London since 2019, following his arrest at India’s request for fraud charges and evading trial in India.
