look news india
Mehul Choksi, the main accused and fugitive businessman in the Rs 14,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, has been arrested in Belgium. This news came out on 14 April 2025. While Belgium Police arrested Choksi on the recommendation of Indian investigative agencies. The arrest was made on the basis of the non-bailable warrant (23 May 2018 and 15 June 2021) issued by a Mumbai court. Indian officials are now starting the process of extradition of Choksi.
Choksi was first in Antigua and then in Bermuda. Where he obtained citizenship in 2017. In 2023, he moved to Antwerp, Belgium with his wife Preeti Choksi, who is a Belgian citizen. According to reports, he obtained an F Residency card in Belgium through fake documents. Some reports also claimed that Choksi was planning to treat cancer in Switzerland to avoid extradition.
Indian investigative agencies like CBI and ED are accusing Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi of scam related to PNB. Nirav Modi is currently in a London jail and India is demanding his extradition. Choksi has always claimed that the cases against her are part of a political conspiracy. He also said that he cannot return to India due to health reasons.
The Belgian government had earlier said that it is monitoring the Choksi case but the matter comes under the jurisdiction of its justice department. Now after his arrest, extradition proceedings can begin. However, it can be complicated as Choksi can seek bail on health and legal basis, despite the extradition treaty between India and Belgium.