Key Takeaways
- Mehul Choksi arrested in Belgium on April 12, 2025, after years on the run.
- Central figure in ₹13,500 crore PNB scam, alongside Nirav Modi.
- Fled India in 2018, acquired Antiguan citizenship to avoid extradition.
- Indian agencies reactivated extradition efforts, leveraging legal and diplomatic channels.
- Choksi is expected to fight extradition on health and legal grounds.
- Authorities confident of bringing him back to face justice in India.
Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium: Introduction
After years of globe-trotting and courtroom dodges, Mehul Choksi—the elusive diamond baron at the heart of India’s infamous PNB fraud scandal—has finally run out of safe havens. Arrested in Belgium on April 12, 2025, the 65-year-old fugitive is now in custody, setting the stage for what could be a decisive moment in India’s long and complex extradition saga.
Once considered untouchable thanks to foreign citizenship and legal shields, Choksi’s dramatic fall from grace is being viewed as a major win for India’s financial enforcement agencies. His arrest signals not just the tightening grip of justice, but also a renewed determination by Indian authorities to bring economic offenders back to face the consequences of their actions.
The PNB Fraud: Unraveling the Scam
The Punjab National Bank scam was not just any white-collar crime—it was a meticulously planned operation that rocked the foundations of India’s banking sector. At the heart of the scam was the fraudulent issuance of Letters of Undertaking (LoUs), which are essentially bank guarantees. Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi allegedly bribed corrupt bank officials to issue these LoUs without proper collateral, allowing them to siphon massive loans from overseas branches of Indian banks.
These fake guarantees led to unauthorized credits amounting to over ₹13,000 crore. Investigators later confirmed that the amount directly traceable to Choksi’s operations stood at ₹6,095 crore. The funds were laundered through a complex network of shell companies and layered across various jurisdictions, making the paper trail difficult to track.
Choksi’s Escape: Citizenship and Controversy
Choksi disappeared from India in the weeks leading up to the scandal’s explosion in early 2018. He had quietly secured citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda under their Citizenship by Investment Program. This strategic move granted him not just a new passport, but also a layer of protection against extradition due to the absence of a bilateral treaty between India and Antigua.
India’s attempts to bring him back were further complicated when, in 2021, Choksi was found in Dominica under murky circumstances. He claimed to have been abducted by Indian agents in Antigua and forcibly taken to Dominica—a charge that has remained unproven but served as a cornerstone of his legal defense to avoid deportation.
Legal Maneuvers and International Pursuit
Following his escape, Indian authorities wasted no time. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued non-bailable warrants, froze his assets, and pushed Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice. Choksi’s legal team managed to delay proceedings in Antigua by citing his poor health, and a series of appeals kept him from being extradited.
Even when the Red Corner Notice was revoked, Indian agencies didn’t let up. They filed fresh extradition requests, escalated diplomatic pressure, and coordinated with foreign jurisdictions to monitor his movements. That perseverance has now paid off in Belgium.
The Diamond Tycoon Finally Cornered: A Breakthrough Moment
According to official sources, Mehul Choksi was arrested by Belgian police on April 12, 2025, while undergoing treatment at a local hospital. He had reportedly been living in Belgium for over six months and was planning to relocate to Switzerland for further treatment when the arrest occurred. Indian officials acted swiftly after learning of his location, reactivating their extradition request despite earlier setbacks.
This time, Belgian authorities responded positively. They confirmed his detention and acknowledged the extradition request submitted by Indian agencies. Choksi is now lodged in a Belgian detention center, awaiting the next steps in what could be a lengthy legal battle.
Medical Grounds and Legal Hurdles
Choksi’s lawyers are expected to once again argue that he is medically unfit to be extradited, citing his blood cancer diagnosis. They will likely file for bail and attempt to delay proceedings on humanitarian grounds. But Indian agencies are better prepared this time. Their counter-argument is simple: if he can travel from Antigua to Belgium and plan to go to Switzerland, then he can certainly be flown to India for trial and treatment.
This line of reasoning is expected to carry more weight in Belgian courts, especially with India offering to provide all necessary medical support and guarantees of fair legal treatment upon his return.
India’s Legal Toolbox: MLATs and UNCAC
Even though India lacks a direct extradition treaty with Antigua, it has signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) with several countries, including Belgium. These agreements enable the sharing of evidence and facilitate cooperation in criminal matters. Additionally, both India and Belgium are signatories to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which further strengthens India’s legal case.
This time, Indian authorities have leveraged every available tool—diplomatic pressure, international cooperation, legal frameworks—to bring Choksi back. Their case is backed by a mountain of evidence, including testimonies from former Gitanjali Group employees and PNB officials who have admitted to their roles in the scam.
Evidence, Co-conspirators, and Charge Sheets
The CBI and ED have built a formidable case against Mehul Choksi. Their investigation is supported by statements from key insiders like Vipul Chitalia, former vice president of Gitanjali Group; the late Deepak Kulkarni, a finance team member; and Gokulnath Shetty, the PNB manager who facilitated fraudulent LoUs.
Many charge sheets have been filed in compliance with various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Indian Penal Code. Choksi is accused of money laundering, corruption, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. These filings also formally involve his company, Gitanjali Gems.
Despite a 2021 UK court decision in favor of India, Nirav Modi is still detained in the country and is battling his own extradition case.
Conclusion: Will Justice Be Served?
Mehul Choksi’s arrest in Belgium is a landmark moment in India’s ongoing crackdown on high-profile economic offenders. While the legal process in Belgium may take time, India has a stronger case than ever. This isn’t just about one man—it’s about restoring faith in India’s financial systems, holding powerful people accountable, and sending a clear message that fleeing justice won’t save you.
The coming months will be crucial as legal arguments unfold in Belgian courts. But the tide appears to be turning. India has a great chance of getting Mehul Choksi back to face the law in his native country because of growing evidence, diplomatic backing, and popular opinion.
