Belgium Working On India's Extradition Request After Mehul Choksi's Arrest, CBI And ED In Pursuit Of PNB Fraud Accused

The Justice Department of Belgium confirmed to NDTV on Monday (14 April) that Mehul Choksi, the absconding Indian entrepreneur, was apprehended on 12 April and is presently in custody.

The Justice Department officials also acknowledged that a request for the extradition of the 65-year-old diamond merchant, accused in Rs 13,850 Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, has been submitted by India.

"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 Belgian federal public service of Justice was quoted as saying.

The Belgian officials declined to share further information, referring to the usual protocols followed in specific cases. The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are in pursuit of Choksi.

He absconded from India on 2 January 2018. His accomplice in this alleged fraud was his nephew, Nirav Modi. It is alleged that from 2014 to 2017, Choksi colluded with his associates and other officials from PNB to deceitfully acquire Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB. This resulted in an unjust loss of Rs 6097.63 crore for PNB.

The apprehension of fugitive diamond merchant Choksi in Belgium is being hailed as a triumph of Indian diplomacy under the Modi administration, according to Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. He expressed to the press that this is a moment of national pride for India.

This arrest comes after Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the plotter of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was extradited from the United States last week. Currently, he is in National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody.