Mehul Choksi Arrested In Belgium After 7-Year Global Chase By Indian Agencies; Was Trying To Escape From Switzerland – DETAILS | (Photo Courtesy: X/
@Krishan10_)
Switzerland: Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi, wanted in connection with one of India’s biggest banking scams, involving the state-run Punjab National Bank, was arrested in Belgium after evading Indian authorities for over seven years.
Choksi, once the Chairperson of the Gitanjali Group, fled from India in early 2018, just before the massive scam surfaced. He reportedly took refuge in Antigua and Barbuda, where he had secured citizenship through an investment programme. Despite repeated extradition efforts, legal roadblocks stalled his return.
A Cross-Continental Cat-and-Mouse Chase
In 2021, he was arrested in the Dominican Republic for illegally entering the country. In response, the Indian authorities shortly dispatched a CBI team in hopes of securing his custody. However, Choksi’s legal team argued in court that he needed urgent medical attention and should return to Antigua. After spending 51 days in a Dominican jail, he was granted relief by the Queen’s Privy Council and was allowed to leave, bringing Indian authorities’ extradition efforts to a halt.
The charges of illegal entry were later dropped, allowing Choksi to continue evading justice. Throughout this time, Indian agencies, including the CBI and Enforcement Directorate, continued tracking his movements across countries.
Choksi Was Caught While Escaping to Switzerland
According to a report by NDTV, sources shared that the Indian agencies were alerted about Choksi’s presence in Belgium last year and shared relevant case files with the local authorities. Belgian police detained him on Saturday, April 12, while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Switzerland.
Choksi’s wife, Preeti, holds a Belgian citizenship, and reports suggest that the diamantaire also submitted forged documents to obtain a Belgian residency card, hiding his Indian and Antiguan nationalities. Choksi’s lawyer recently claimed in a Mumbai court that Choksi is undergoing blood cancer treatment and is unable to return.
Authorities are now coordinating his extradition, although his legal team may seek relief on medical grounds.
