Brussels/New Delhi — April 14, 2025: In a major breakthrough in India’s long-standing efforts to bring fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi to justice, Belgian authorities arrested the 65-year-old businessman on Saturday in Antwerp. The arrest came following India’s formal extradition request, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has since established official contact with Belgian authorities to execute the legal process.
A senior official familiar with the matter confirmed, “Choksi was taken into custody on Saturday and remains in detention. His bail will take time as the case has international ramifications and legal complexities.”
This marks a significant turn in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam case, in which Choksi is the primary accused along with his nephew Nirav Modi. The duo is alleged to have orchestrated one of India’s largest bank frauds by using fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) to secure overseas credit.
Who Is Mehul Choksi?
1. Early Life and Background
Mehul Chinubhai Choksi was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, in 1959. He pursued higher education in Gujarat before joining his family’s diamond business. Over the years, Choksi became a prominent figure in the Indian jewelry industry, eventually taking over as the owner of the Gitanjali Group—once a leading name in the luxury jewelry sector in India and abroad.
2. The Rise and Fall of Gitanjali Group
Under Choksi’s leadership, Gitanjali Group expanded aggressively, becoming synonymous with diamond jewelry in India. However, the empire began to crumble in early 2018 when the PNB scam surfaced, revealing a financial hole of staggering proportions. The group swiftly collapsed, and Choksi fled India.
3. Escape from India and Antiguan Citizenship
Choksi fled India in early 2018, days before the scam was exposed. He acquired citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda through their Citizenship by Investment programme. His new status as an Antiguan citizen complicated India’s efforts to bring him back due to legal protection offered by the island nation.
4. 2021 Abduction Drama in the Caribbean
In May 2021, Choksi mysteriously disappeared from Antigua and was later found in Dominica. He alleged that Indian agents abducted him and transported him via yacht against his will. Choksi filed a legal petition in Dominica claiming abduction and torture. The incident became a diplomatic tangle. After a month-long legal standoff, Dominica dropped illegal entry charges, and Choksi was sent back to Antigua.
Present Scenario: Arrest in Belgium
Choksi arrived in Belgium in 2024, reportedly for medical treatment for suspected cancer. According to his lawyer Vijay Aggarwal, he had been residing in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi. Indian agencies, closely monitoring his movements, issued an extradition request which eventually led to his arrest.
Interestingly, sources reveal that Choksi may have obtained Belgian residency using falsified documents and was even planning a potential move to Switzerland for advanced cancer treatment.
What’s Next for India?
With the arrest now confirmed, all eyes are on Belgium’s judicial system. India’s request for extradition will be weighed against Belgian laws and Choksi’s legal defenses. Indian officials remain cautiously optimistic.
“Unlike previous attempts blocked due to legal loopholes or international protection, Belgium has more robust mechanisms to deal with economic fugitives,” a senior Indian government official stated.
Choksi’s legal team is expected to contest the extradition vigorously, possibly citing health concerns, threat to life, and political persecution—claims he has used before to delay or derail proceedings.
Why This Case Matters
Choksi’s extradition is not just about recovering a fugitive. It has become a litmus test for India’s diplomatic and legal abilities in bringing white-collar criminals to justice. The case also underscores the need for global cooperation in financial fraud and the importance of closing citizenship loopholes that fugitives often exploit.
If India succeeds this time, it will set a precedent in tackling financial fugitives who abuse international borders to escape justice. The arrest also revives hopes for justice in the PNB scam, where thousands of small investors and a major public-sector bank suffered massive losses.
Mehul Choksi’s arrest in Belgium brings a renewed sense of possibility for Indian law enforcement. However, the road to extradition is far from over. Legal battles, health-related defenses, and diplomatic sensitivities could yet delay his return. But for now, it’s a step forward in one of India’s longest and most high-profile manhunts.
