How India and Belgium Foiled Mehul Choksi’s Escape to Switzerland

Belgian authorities apprehended fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi’s, wanted in India for his role in the ₹13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, over the weekend. He was reportedly planning to escape to Switzerland under the pretext of seeking medical treatment. His arrest represents a significant breakthrough in India’s persistent seven-year effort to track him across three different countries.

Mehul Choksi, the owner of Gitanjali Group and a key figure in one of India’s biggest banking frauds, fled the country in 2018 with his nephew Nirav Modi, his wife Ami Modi, and his brother Neeshal Modi. Shortly afterward, he obtained Antiguan citizenship through its investment program, which made it more difficult for India to pursue legal action against him.

Choksi’s arrest in Belgium came after a covert operation by Indian agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), who had been monitoring his movements worldwide.

Belgian authorities took prompt action based on information from Indian officials once it became evident that Choksi was attempting to escape to Switzerland for cancer treatment at the Hirslanden Klinik Aarau, according to sources cited by India Today.

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Mehul Choksi’s run-ins with law

This isn’t Choksi’s first encounter with international law enforcement.In 2021, authorities detained him in the Dominican Republic for illegal entry, triggering a series of intense legal proceedings. The CBI sent a team to pursue his extradition, but his lawyers successfully convinced the court to return him to Antigua for medical reasons. The British Queen’s Privy Council ruled in his favor, and he flew back to Antigua after spending 51 days in prison.

Despite multiple setbacks, Indian authorities persisted. They learned of Choksi’s presence in Belgium last year and promptly alerted local agencies, sharing a comprehensive dossier detailing his role in the massive bank fraud. Belgian police arrested him shortly afterward, preventing what would have been another escape – this time to Switzerland.

Choksi had earlier proposed to cooperate with Indian authorities through video conferencing, citing health issues that prevented him from traveling. However, authorities declined this offer. With his recent arrest, it seems that India is getting closer to bringing the fugitive businessman back to face trial on Indian soil.

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