However, Choksi still has the right to appeal in a higher court. If he does not appeal or if the appeal is rejected, the process to deport him to India will proceed.
Belgian police had arrested Mehul Choksi on April 12 following India’s request for extradition in the Punjab National Bank loan fraud case. He is currently in jail.
Choksi is accused of a fraud worth ₹13,850 crore. He was living with his wife, Preeti Choksi, who has Belgian citizenship. The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed Choksi’s presence in the country.
At the time of his arrest, Mehul Choksi was attempting to flee from Belgium to Switzerland. The police cited two arrest warrants issued by a Mumbai court on May 23, 2018, and June 15, 2021, while arresting him.
Court denies bail to Choksi, flags flight risk
Belgian prosecutors told the court that Mehul Choksi remains a flight risk and should not be released. A senior official said the order is a positive step for India, as the court confirmed that Choksi’s arrest in Belgium, at India’s request, was legal.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs and CBI officials supported the prosecution, presenting evidence of Choksi’s involvement, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, in a ₹13,850 crore fraud at PNB.
Obtained residency card with wife's help
Choksi obtained Belgium's 'F Residency Card' on November 15, 2023, which was allegedly acquired with the help of his Belgian citizen wife. Reports claimed that Choksi submitted forged documents to Belgian authorities.
He provided false information by concealing his Indian and Antiguan citizenship so that he could not be sent to India.
Before leaving India in 2018, Choksi had already taken citizenship of Antigua-Barbuda in 2017. Choksi repeatedly refused to appear in India, citing poor health. Sometimes his appearances would only happen through video conferencing. Many of his properties in India have also been seized.
Reached Dominica from Antigua, spent 51 days in jail
In May 2021, Choksi reached the neighboring country Dominica from Antigua. He was arrested there. A CBI team reached Dominica to get him extradited, but before that he got relief from the British Queen's Privy Council. Later he was handed back to Antigua.
However, Mehul Choksi had to spend 51 days in a Dominican jail. There he argued that he wanted to go to Antigua to get treatment from a neurologist. A few days after reaching Antigua, the Dominican court also dismissed the cases filed against Choksi.
Whistleblower says bringing back Choksi won’t be easy
Punjab National Bank scam whistleblower Hariprasad SV said Mehul Choksi’s extradition will be challenging. “His wallet is full, and he will hire top European lawyers, just like Vijay Mallya did. Bringing him back won’t be easy for India,” he added. Hariprasad noted that although Choksi was caught in Antigua, he managed to escape with the help of a large legal team. He hopes the government succeeds this time.
1.jpg)
