Arrest in Belgium: Mehul Choksi was arrested in Belgium on Saturday, April 12, 2025, following an extradition request from Indian probe agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Location of Arrest:He was reportedly detained from a hospital in Belgium where he was receiving medical treatment.
Reason for being in Belgium: Choksi had obtained a residency card in Belgium, reportedly using his wife’s documents (his wife is a Belgian national). He had been living there since last year and was reportedly seeking medical cancer treatment.
Attempt to Flee to Switzerland Foiled:Indian authorities learned that Choksi was planning to flee to Switzerland for cancer treatment at a specialized facility. They alerted Belgian authorities and requested his extradition before he could leave.
India-Belgium Extradition Treaty:India and Belgium have an extradition treaty in place since 2020, which could facilitate Choksi’s return to India. The treaty allows for the extradition of individuals accused or convicted of offenses punishable by imprisonment of one year or more in both countries, including economic crimes.
Choksi’s Defense:His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, has confirmed the arrest and stated that they will appeal against it and oppose the extradition.The primary grounds for the appeal will be Choksi’s ill health (cancer treatment) and the argument that he is not a flight risk. They may also argue that the case is politically motivated and raise concerns about his human rights and prison conditions in India.
PNB Scam: Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi are accused of defrauding the Punjab National Bank of over ₹13,500 crore through fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs). Choksi fled India in January 2018, before the scam became public, and obtained citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda.
Previous Attempts at Extradition: India had previously attempted to extradite Choksi from Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, where he was briefly detained in 2021 for illegal entry. These efforts were unsuccessful.
Legal Proceedings in India: In India, Choksi faces criminal proceedings by both the CBI and the ED for fraud, money laundering, criminal conspiracy, and corruption. The ED has also filed a plea to declare him a Fugitive Economic Offender. His assets worth over ₹2,500 crore have been attached.
