Mehul Choksi Residing in Belgium; India Requests Extradition

Fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is reportedly residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, after allegedly acquiring residency through deceitful methods. Indian authorities are seeking his extradition due to his involvement in a ₹13,500-crore bank loan fraud case related to the Punjab National Bank. Choksi has faced serious legal challenges since fleeing India in January 2018.

Reports indicate that fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi is currently residing in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi. It has been suggested that Mr. Choksi has acquired a residency card in Belgium, prompting Indian authorities to formally request his extradition from Belgian officials, as reported by the media outlet, Associated Times. However, the Indian authorities have not provided immediate confirmation regarding this claim.

Mehul Choksi, the owner of the Gitanjali Group, a well-known retail jewelry firm in India, is wanted for his involvement in a substantial ₹13,500-crore bank loan fraud case. He and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are believed to have defrauded Punjab National Bank (PNB) of over ₹14,000 crore. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated actions against Choksi, Modi, their family members, and involved bank officials back in 2018 for the alleged fraud linked to the Brady House branch of PNB in Mumbai.

Choksi fled India in January 2018, with prior indications suggesting he was residing in Antigua and Barbuda before relocating to Belgium. His wife, Preeti, reportedly holds Belgian citizenship. In Belgium, Choksi is said to have secured his residency by submitting misleading and fabricated documents, as well as making false declarations to the Belgian authorities regarding his nationality and existing citizenship, which includes India and Antigua. The report notes that he sought residency under the premise of receiving medical treatment at a reputed cancer hospital.

Mr. Choksi and Mr. Modi allegedly embezzled ₹13,500 crore of public funds through fraudulent letters of undertaking from PNB. Nirav Modi is currently imprisoned in London, contesting his extradition to India after being repeatedly denied bail.

In May 2021, Choksi briefly disappeared from Antigua but was subsequently located and returned. His situation continues to unfold amid ongoing legal and diplomatic complexities.

In summary, Mehul Choksi, a businessman implicated in a significant bank fraud case, is reportedly living in Antwerp, Belgium, along with his wife. Indian authorities are pursuing his extradition, citing allegations of residency obtained through fraudulent means. The case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding financial crimes and international legal procedures, with Choksi’s actions potentially complicating his attempts to evade justice.

Original Source: www.livemint.com