Fugitive Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium amid India's extradition request

Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in connection with the massive Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been arrested by Belgian authorities, confirmed official sources. His arrest marks a major breakthrough for Indian enforcement agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), who have been pursuing him for years.

Choksi, accused of defrauding PNB of over ₹13,500 crore along with his nephew Nirav Modi, had been on the run since 2018. He was reportedly in Europe under the pretext of medical treatment when he was apprehended in Antwerp, Belgium, on April 11. Non-bailable warrants issued by Mumbai courts had intensified the international hunt for him.

According to sources, Indian agencies had been tracking his movements closely after intelligence reports suggested that Choksi had obtained a residency card in Belgium and had been living there for the past few months. The arrest was made possible through strong coordination between Indian and Belgian authorities, under existing legal cooperation frameworks.

David Jordens, the spokesperson and head of service for social media and press at Belgium's Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs, confirmed the case was being closely followed. "The Federal Public Service is aware of this case and attaches great importance to it," he said, while refusing to comment further, citing legal protocols. He added that the matter now rests with the Federal Public Service Justice.

Choksi's arrest comes at a time when India is also seeking the extradition of his nephew, Nirav Modi, who is currently in a London prison. Modi has been fighting his extradition to India since his arrest in the UK in 2019, despite several court rulings in favour of India.