Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, wanted in the Rs 13,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was arrested in Belgium on Saturday following India’s extradition request. His legal team has now announced that they are preparing to file an appeal against his arrest.
Choksi’s lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, on Monday confirmed that the appeal will be for his release on bail. “Our appeal seeking his release on bail will mainly be on the ground that (due to) his medical condition, he is undergoing treatment for cancer. We will also be arguing that he is not a flight risk,” Aggarwal said to The Indian Express.
He also observed that the appeal could only be made after five days, which is the shortest time for a hearing to be arranged.
Mehul Choksi Faces Charges Under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act
Mehul Choksi has been identified as a prime accused in the 2018 PNB scam, where fake Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) were allegedly used to provide financial gains to him and others with the connivance of bank officials. The scam resulted in huge losses to the public sector bank.
Since leaving India, Choksi has been beyond the reach of Indian authorities, leading the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to approach the special court under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. The ED filed its plea in 2018 to declare Choksi a fugitive economic offender. If approved, this would enable authorities to seize his assets even before a trial.
Medical Grounds and Legal Strategy
Choksi, who is an Antigua and Barbuda citizen, had earlier this year allegedly flown to Belgium to receive immediate medical care for cancer. His lawyers had made the argument in earlier court hearings that he was medically unfit to travel to India, based on advice against long-distance travel from medical professionals.
The Mumbai special court is continuing to hear various applications made by Choksi opposing the decision to name him a fugitive. His lawyers are likely to appear before the Belgian court with their bail application in the coming few days.
