India’s Most Wanted Mehul Choksi Hiding in Belgium..

Brussels : Mehul Choksi, the fugitive businessman accused in India’s multi-crore bank fraud case, has been confirmed to be hiding in Belgium. The Belgian government has officially acknowledged his presence in the country, raising questions about potential legal proceedings and extradition efforts by Indian authorities. Choksi, who had been residing in Antigua and Barbuda, reportedly left the Caribbean nation for medical treatment and has since taken refuge in Belgium, where his wife holds citizenship.

Choksi, the mastermind behind the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, had been evading Indian authorities since 2018 when the fraud case came to light. Along with his nephew, Nirav Modi, he was accused of orchestrating one of India’s largest financial scams, amounting to nearly ₹13,000 crore. While Modi was arrested in the UK and is facing extradition, Choksi has continued to dodge legal proceedings by frequently changing his location.

According to reports, Choksi had initially fled to Antigua and obtained citizenship there, making it difficult for Indian authorities to bring him back. However, citing health reasons, he traveled to Belgium, where his wife has citizenship, further complicating efforts to extradite him. Belgian authorities have confirmed his presence but have not commented on whether they will cooperate with India in his extradition.

Indian agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), have been actively pursuing Choksi. They have been in discussions with multiple international agencies, including Interpol, to track his movements and bring him to justice. While an Interpol Red Notice was issued against him, legal loopholes and his citizenship status in other countries have made the process challenging.

Experts believe that India’s diplomatic efforts with Belgium will play a crucial role in determining whether Choksi can be sent back to face trial. Meanwhile, the Indian government has reiterated its commitment to bringing back fugitive economic offenders and ensuring they face the consequences of their financial crimes.

As the hunt for Mehul Choksi continues, the case remains a high-profile example of international financial fraud and the challenges involved in extraditing economic offenders who take refuge in foreign countries.