In a major development, a Belgian court has denied bail to fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in India for his alleged involvement in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.
Choksi was arrested in Belgium on April 12, following a request by Indian authorities. The three-judge bench hearing the matter ruled against granting him bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and his history of evading justice.
Wanted Since 2018
Mehul Choksi, 65, has been on the radar of India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) since 2018. He fled India after being named a key accused in one of the country’s biggest banking frauds, involving ₹13,500 crore siphoned from PNB.
Interpol issued a red corner notice against him the same year, but it was withdrawn in 2022 after Choksi claimed he was abducted by Indian agents from Antigua and Barbuda in 2021. He had since moved to Belgium for what his lawyers say is cancer treatment.
Indian Government Pushing for Extradition
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that Indian authorities are working closely with Belgian officials to ensure Choksi’s extradition.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently stated:
“We are committed to bringing Mehul Choksi back to India to face the law. Discussions with the Belgian government are ongoing.”
Health Concerns Raised by Legal Team
Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, argued that extradition could severely affect his client’s health, claiming that Choksi suffers from cancer, PTSD, and has permanent deformities due to alleged torture during his previous detention.
“He is extremely sick. When he was picked up from Antigua by Indian agents, he suffered both physically and mentally. He still experiences claustrophobia,” Aggarwal stated.
What’s Next?
Although Choksi’s bail has been denied, the legal battle is far from over. His defense team is expected to appeal the decision and continue fighting extradition on humanitarian grounds.
Meanwhile, India is determined to bring Choksi back to face trial, marking a significant moment in the country’s pursuit of fugitive economic offenders.
